Crime was up slightly in Lafayette in key categories in 2024, but still down from a decade earlier. Lafayette's police chief sees it ‘as a good thing,’ and hopes the community feels that way, too.
Fav part: the graphs! Thanks for giving those so much space. ******* I don't think there's a non-political way to ask this question, so D.B. couldn't, but I would have followed up the "how people feel" question with, "To what extent do people feel unsafe because prominent political leaders promote the FALSE narrative that the United States is under a terrifying siege of violent crime?" And then, depending on the response I would have asked "And how does that make your job harder or easier here in Lafayette?"
Great point. And there seems to be a narrative in the local FB groups that we have a terrible crime wave - fostered by a few loud voices. Those voices drown out the facts, and people repeat the misinformation.
Fav part: the graphs! Thanks for giving those so much space. ******* I don't think there's a non-political way to ask this question, so D.B. couldn't, but I would have followed up the "how people feel" question with, "To what extent do people feel unsafe because prominent political leaders promote the FALSE narrative that the United States is under a terrifying siege of violent crime?" And then, depending on the response I would have asked "And how does that make your job harder or easier here in Lafayette?"
Agreed. I hope LPD is publishing this report and talking about it often.
Great point. And there seems to be a narrative in the local FB groups that we have a terrible crime wave - fostered by a few loud voices. Those voices drown out the facts, and people repeat the misinformation.
Great interview!
I am curious as to how the new police station downtown is affecting police work. There might be a bit of a story there too.