Biden Meets with Chicago and Miami Police to Discuss Significant Decrease in Violent Crime

President Joe Biden is set to tackle crime rates in the U.S. on Wednesday, as he convenes with police chiefs from cities that have experienced decreases in homicides following significant spikes during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the White House.

The Democratic president will address the issue and hold meetings with top law enforcement officials from cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Detroit, Buffalo, New York; Milwaukee, Charlotte, North Carolina; and DeKalb County, Georgia.

In a political jab at Biden’s Republican predecessor and potential opponent in the 2024 election, Donald Trump, the White House pointed out that the U.S. saw its largest ever surge in murders in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic.

Violent crime rates significantly decreased last year, with a 12% drop in national homicides from 2022 to 2023, as per a crime analysis by AH Datalytics, following a surge in the initial two years of the pandemic.

“The noteworthy decrease in crime rates indicates a safer America,” the White House stated, outlining the measures the Biden administration has implemented for public safety.

These measures include investing in effective and accountable law enforcement, supporting intervention and prevention efforts, and removing particularly dangerous firearms from circulation, with over $15 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan legislation allocated to assist cities, the statement noted.

Detroit and Chicago each allocated over $100 million for public safety projects, which involved hiring new officers, expanding mental health community violence interventions, and youth intervention programs. Chicago saw a 13% decrease in homicides, while Detroit experienced an 18% drop in 2023, the statement reported.

Philadelphia focused on group-violence intervention and community crisis intervention initiatives, resulting in a 20% reduction in homicides and a 28% decline in nonfatal shootings last year, according to the White House.

In the latest FBI statistics, violent crime decreased in 2022 while property crimes increased. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter dropped by 6.1% and rape by 5.4%, while larceny and motor vehicle theft rose by 7.8% and 10.9%, respectively, as per the agency’s national crime report released in October.

The administration highlighted efforts to combat gun violence but emphasized Biden’s ongoing call for Congress to enact stronger gun safety legislation.