Jim Jordan Questions DC Council Chair on Crime Statistics and Data Manipulation

Crime Statistics in D.C.

• 🎯 Representative Jim Jordan questioned DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson about whether crime is up or down in the last month.
• 📊 Mendelson stated that crime is down significantly, citing specific reductions in robbery (42%), deadly weapon assaults (13%), carjacking (85%), and car theft (24%), leading to an overall violent crime reduction of 25%.
• 📈 Before a recent surge, violent crime was down 26%, and after the surge, it was down 27%.

Allegations of "Cooking the Books"

• ⚠️ Jordan raised concerns, citing a statement from the head of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Mr. Pimton, who alleged that officers were directed to report offenses as lesser crimes.
• 🧐 Jordan directly asked Mendelson if they were "cooking the books" and referenced a settled court case where such allegations were made.
• ⚖️ Mendelson stated he could not speak to that specific case but affirmed that collateral statistics support the reduction in crime.

"Taking Property Without Right" Classification

• ❓ Jordan pressed Mendelson on a specific crime classification called "taking property without right" (TPWR), which has reportedly grown by 500%.
• 🔍 Mendelson was unable to provide a clear definition of TPWR, stating he could not speak to particular offenses within the criminal code.
• 🗣️ Jordan contrasted TPWR with the common term "stealing," suggesting the new classification might be used to manipulate crime statistics.

National Guard Presence in D.C.

• 🛡️ Jordan inquired about Mendelson's stance on the National Guard's presence in D.C.
• 👍 Mendelson acknowledged the DC National Guard as a valuable asset but expressed reservations about large numbers of troops not trained in law enforcement being stationed in the city.