Ortt’s claim about rising crime needs context

Jillian Snider, a former New York City police officer and policy director for criminal justice and civil liberties at R Street Institute, which supports limited government and free markets, said crime statistics and people’s feelings of relative safety can vary widely across the state. In addition, about half of crimes go unreported.

“This New York State index crime is only reflective of crimes where police are taking an active report,” Snider said.  

State data show more crime in 2024 than in 2021, though that isn’t true in every county, Snider said.