Of approximately 18,000 law enforcement entities in the U.S., the requirement to report or preserve significant crime data is not mandatory. I asked how this affects the ability to determine cause and effect in important crime categories.
The following information is what I found.
The absence of mandatory reporting and preservation of central crime data by law enforcement entities significantly impacts the ability to accurately determine cause and effect in significant crime categories in the U.S. This is because the collected data may be incomplete, leading to an inaccurate picture of crime trends and patterns. For example, in 2021, only 11,794 of 18,806 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. reported crime data to the FBI; in 2022, only 15,726 of 18,888 participating law enforcement agencies submitted crime data.
This incomplete data can lead to a distorted picture of crime trends, making it difficult to accurately identify the causes and effects of crime in different categories. Without a complete and accurate dataset, it is challenging to draw reliable conclusions about the factors contributing to crime and the effectiveness of varying crime prevention strategies.
The lack of mandatory reporting and preservation of central crime data by law enforcement entities in the U.S. significantly hampers the ability to determine cause and effect in significant crime categories, leading to potential inaccuracies in crime trend analysis and policy-making.
I suggest mandatory reporting and preservation of crime data at the County level. Somebody may establish Protocols and agreements to share data beyond the county level.
Perhaps we can work together to correct this issue.