In this episode, criminologist John Lott breaks down how crime statistics in the United States are being distorted — and why the public is being misled about the true state of public safety. Lott explains how major media outlets, the FBI, and local law enforcement agencies manipulate or underreport violent crime data, creating a false narrative that crime is declining even as communities experience rising violence.

The conversation zeroes in on how crimes committed by illegal immigrants are frequently minimized or excluded from reporting, skewing national crime trends and masking the real impact of sanctuary city policies. Lott presents data showing elevated rates of violent crime among illegal aliens in places like New York, and explains how repeat offenders are often released back into the community despite serious criminal records.

Lott also explores the demographic realities of violent crime — including how most crimes occur within similar racial and socioeconomic groups — and why ignoring these patterns leads to failed policy. He argues that political incentives, not public safety, now drive crime reporting and enforcement decisions.

See more data from the Crime Prevention Research Center