FreedomWorks Statement on Release of 2017 Crime Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the release of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) for 2017, FreedomWorks Vice President of Legislative Affairs Jason Pye commented:

“The FBI crime data numbers for 2017 are encouraging. Homicide, violent crime, and property crime are each down compared to 2016. In fact, the overall crime rate is at its lowest rate since 1967 and crime has fallen by 17 percent between 2008 and 2017. Although some have claimed that the United States was entering into a new crime wave, the data very clearly do not back up.”

“More work has to be done to continue to enhance public safety. We urge the Senate to continue the work that has been done in states like Georgia and Texas to reduce the rates of repeat offenders and pass the FIRST STEP Act. Congress must also do more to give those who have served their time a second chance to become productive citizens of society.”