According to newly released data from the Justice Department, crime rates have remained elevated during the tenure of President Biden, challenging the prevailing media and White House narrative. The data, obtained from a comprehensive annual government-run survey of crime victims, reveals that violence and property crimes have continued to plague communities across the United States. While the numbers remained statistically unchanged from 2022, they are significantly higher compared to 2020, the final year of the Trump administration.

The survey indicates that 22.5 out of every 1,000 residents reported being victims of violent crimes in 2023, while 102.2 out of every 1,000 reported facing property crimes. Startlingly, both these figures are consistent with the previous year's statistics, indicating a concerning lack of progress in curbing criminal activities. Additionally, it highlights a significant increase compared to 2020, with crime rates rising during President Biden's term while declining under President Trump.

The data also revealed a disturbing trend of underreporting crimes to the police. The survey found that only 44% of self-reported robbery victims filed a police report in 2023, witnessing a substantial decrease from the 64% reported in 2022. This discrepancy suggests that the true magnitude of crime may be even higher than reported.

Notably, John R. Lott Jr., president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, who has been monitoring the data over the years, pointed out that the numbers undermine claims made by the Biden administration, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, and certain media figures that crime rates were decreasing. These claims were based on FBI data, which the newly released survey data contradicts.

Lott observed, "Violent crime increased by 37% under the Biden administration, compared to a drop of 17% under the Trump administration." This stark contrast further supports claims made by Trump's campaign that crime rates remain substantially high under Vice President Harris, debunking any assertions made by Democrats and their media allies to the contrary.

The Washington Times sought responses from both the White House and Vice President Harris' campaign, but their statements regarding the data remain unknown as of now.

The National Crime Victimization Survey, conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, reaches nearly a quarter-million individuals in 150,000 households annually, making it one of the primary sources for understanding overall crime rates. It complements the FBI's national crime reporting database, which compiles crimes reported to local police departments. Interestingly, while the FBI data initially indicated a decline in crime reports over the past couple of years, the victimization data paints a different picture.

This issue became a point of contention during the recent presidential debate, where President Trump focused on crime rates and Vice President Harris. Trump's claim that "crime is through the roof" prompted moderator David Muir, from ABC, to fact-check the statement using FBI data, which indicated an overall decrease in violent crime. However, Lott and others argue that the validity of FBI data is questionable due to incomplete reporting and data omissions by police departments.

Another crucial aspect highlighted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics data is the declining rate of reporting crimes to the police. While overall crime reporting remained consistent from 2022 to 2023, there was a significant drop in certain categories, such as robberies and motor vehicle thefts. This decline in reporting further complicates the evaluation of crime rates and calls into question their accuracy.

Lott's analysis of the victimization data reveals significant improvements in several major crimes during the Trump administration. Aggravated assaults, for instance, fell by 24% under Trump's presidency but rose by a staggering 55% under President Biden's administration. Similarly, robbery rates witnessed a 6% decrease under Trump, only to surge by 63% under Biden. Rape, which remained stagnant under Trump, experienced a 42% increase under the current administration.

It is essential to note that the FBI has more reliable data for one crime: homicide. The most recent full-year data, covering 2022, showcased a 6.1% decline in homicides from the previous year. However, experts caution against relying solely on either survey as an accurate indicator of crime rates, emphasizing the influence of regional factors.

Despite the ongoing debate, when viewing crime rates over a longer period, both Trump and Biden administrations reflect lower rates compared to the early 1990s. Violent crime victimization during that era approached nearly 80 per 1,000 residents, more than three times the current rate.

As the discussion surrounding crime rates and their impact on society continues, it remains crucial to consider multiple data sources and regional variations when assessing the overall state of criminal activities in the nation.

Note: Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com for further inquiries or reprint permission.