Is the Murder Rate Finally Falling? (Featuring Crime Analyst Jeff Asher)
Host Stephen Gutowski and guest Jeff Asher examine what the data says about where America's murder rate is headed.
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Show Notes
This week, we're taking a closer look at the data that indicates the murder rate is finally on a downward slope. And there's no better guest to have than the man who has documented the decline.
Crime analyst Jeff Asher joins the show to give us insight into his methodology for tracking murder across the country. His numbers show what could be a historic reversal of the recent murder spike. The data from over 100 city police departments indicate murder may be down as much as 10 percent.
But Asher also explains the limitations of real-time data as well as the continuing problems with the FBI's data collection. Still, he says trends in even a few cities can be broadly predictive nationwide. And what he's seeing is backed up by other measures as well.
Of course, not every city is improving, and Asher highlights standout cities going in either direction.
Plus, Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about the downturn in gun sales. And we have another member segment!