Most violent crimes go unsolved despite massive spending on police

Citing an alarming decline in the resolution of violent crimes, progressive Democrat Lisa McCormick is advocating for a crucial shift in law enforcement priorities.

Recent data reveals that in 2022, no arrest was made in 63 percent of reported violent crimes, highlighting a pressing need for reform. McCormick says that to ensure safety and justice, we must first focus on identifying and apprehending perpetrators to hold them accountable and enhance public safety.

“The vast majority of crimes remain unsolved while taxpayers' investment in law enforcement grows,” McCormick stated. “We are being robbed by the cops because politicians lack the courage to demand greater accountability.”

Research underscores that the deterrent effect of crime is driven more by the likelihood of getting caught than by the severity of punishment. Studies show that a dollar spent on increasing arrest rates is far more effective in reducing crime than a dollar spent on longer incarcerations.

According to McCormick, “Nearly 23,000 people were killed in 2021, and criminology experts estimate that almost half of these cases remain unsolved. The U.S. has the worst crime clearance rate among Western nations.” She emphasized that targeted interventions are necessary to reverse this trend.

McCormick proposed several key actions states can take to improve violent crime resolution:

• Targeted Support: Offer grants to support focused-deterrence policing strategies that engage with high-risk individuals and locations.
• Agency Assistance: Provide training and support to law enforcement agencies with low solve rates.
• Caseload Management: Reduce detective caseloads to ensure more thorough investigations.
• Evidence Processing: Improve turnaround times at state crime labs for processing evidence.
• Witness and Victim Engagement: Enhance efforts to engage witnesses and victims in the investigative process.

“The decision to break the law hinges on whether individuals believe they will get caught, not on the potential punishment,” McCormick explained. “People who commit crimes are guided by their perception of getting away with it.”

McCormick criticized the focus on punitive measures over preventive ones, stating, “When crime rates increase, calls for harsher sentences often overshadow effective solutions. The reality is that increased certainty of arrest is what deters crime, not the length of imprisonment.”

She also condemned the political establishment for failing to address the root causes of crime effectively.

“Both Democrats and Republicans have failed to enact meaningful reforms,” McCormick said. “The real divide in this country is not between left and right but between the powerful and the powerless. It’s time for leaders who will confront these issues head-on and prioritize real solutions over political convenience.”

McCormick’s call to action emphasizes the need for a systemic change in how violent crimes are addressed. “Our country’s ingenuity and potential are hampered by a flawed political system that consolidates power in the hands of a few. We must challenge this status quo and work towards a system that truly serves the public's interest.”