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The head of the FBI believes that a spike in violent crime in many cities may be due to officers' fears of showing up on Internet videos confronting suspects.
FBI Director James Comey told reporters Wednesday that a "viral video effect" is leading to less aggressive policing that "could well be at the heart" of an alarming increase in murders in many cities, according to an account recorded by the New York Times.
"There's a perception that police are less likely to do the marginal additional policing that suppresses crime -- the getting out of your car at 2 in the morning and saying to a group of guys, 'Hey, what are you doing here?'" he told reporters.
Comey's remarks came after he was briefed on rising crime rates in more than 40 cities during the first quarter of 2016. The director did not reveal specific statistics, and the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
James Comey, welcome to the panopticon you dragged the rest of us into. It's rather a double-edged sword, isn't it?
(Score: 2) by captain_nifty on Friday May 13 2016, @03:23PM
I would personally expect crime rates to go up in the spring as compared to the winter, more people out and about = more potentially violent interaction.
Besides "Rising Crime Rates" is not exactly a very quantitative or qualitative statement, and statistics can be fudged to show whatever your agenda requires.
I'm surprised the FBI doesn't blame encryption too while their at it.
(Score: 1, Troll) by captain_nifty on Friday May 13 2016, @04:17PM
DAmn it! "They're"