Are Crime Statistics Dividing Us? We Asked the Audience

Are crime statistics helping us understand what’s really happening — or are they pushing us further apart? In this follow-up episode, we take the conversation to the audience, pulling real thoughts from the comments and asking viewers directly how they interpret crime data. We explore the difference between totals, per-capita rates, and arrests, and question whether numbers are being used to inform the public or fuel division.

👇 Join the conversation: Do crime statistics educate us — or divide us?

Chapters

• 0:01 Opening Challenge On Crime Blame
• 0:34 Host Intro And Audience Format
• 1:16 Totals Vs Rates Vs Arrests
• 1:49 Do Arrests Reflect Enforcement
• 2:23 Media Fear Versus Reality
• 2:49 Solve Problems Or Divide People
• 3:50 Calls To Engage And Subscribe

Transcript

SPEAKER_01: 0:01

And if we go to China tonight, who do you think is killing Chinese in China tonight? If we go to Italy tomorrow, who do you think is killing Italians in Italy? And if 98% of all white folks that was murdered in America was murdered by white folk, if y'all think talking about white and white, how y'all think that's talking about black black black black?

SPEAKER_00: 0:34

Peace, peace, peace. Peace family. In tune for the sound of the Only One Mike Podcast Mic Drop show. I'm your host, Carl Gerard. In the last episode, we broke down how crime stats get misread. Now, I want to ask you, are they being used to divide us? Now, this is going to be something a little bit different, guys. This is going to be an audience-driven conversation, meaning that I'm going to interview you, the audience. And the thoughts that I'm going to express on this is coming straight from the comment section, meaning that you who are listening may have put one of these comments in. So I just want to ask you guys a few questions at this point. So let's go ahead and get into it. A lot of you said things like, I quote, it depends on whether you're talking about totals or per capita. People argue without even defining what more crimes mean. So let me ask you this. When you hear someone say that this group commits more crime, what do you think they actually mean? Is it the total numbers, the rates per hundred thousand, or just arrests? And be honest, did you always know the difference? And another comment that was made was, and I quote, arrest numbers don't mean crime numbers. And that's a strong statement. So here's a follow-up question. Do you think arrests reflect behavior or enforcement? And if policing looks different depending on the neighborhood, should we be surprised when the numbers look different too? Now, guys, I'm gonna be honest, I'm quite sure for a lot of people this is where many parts of this conversation start getting a little bit uncomfortable. But, you know, we want you to be as as honest as you can in your answer. And several of you also mentioned that the media decides what people fear, and certain crimes get more attention than others. So let me ask you this question: Do you think the media shows us what's most common or what's most clickable? And how much do you think that shapes who people believe commit the most crime? And now this question is for everyone listening. Do you think crime statistics are being used more to solve problems or to divide people? And why do you think crime discussions focus so heavily on who commits the crime instead of why does crime concentrate where it does? Is it poverty? Is it the environment? Is it the opportunities that's available, or is it the policies? Because these don't trend as easily as blame, y'all. And this isn't a right or wrong answer, guys. It's about how we think and what we question. So I'll leave you with this. When you see a crime statistic online, do you question a number or the group it's attached to? Please drop your thoughts in the comments. Let's have respectful discourse about this situation, guys. Um, again, like I said, we don't grow in silence, y'all. We grow in conversation. So please drop all your thoughts in the comment section and let's, you know, have a big discussion about this to see if we can learn from one another. The only one mic podcast is available on every platform you stream your podcast on. Hit that subscribe button, rate the show, and don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for past and current episodes. Follow us on Instagram and X at the Only One Mike P1, Facebook and LinkedIn at the Only One Mike Podcast. Email us at theonly1mic00 at gmail.com, or call us at 302-367-7219 to have your comments or your questions. Try to make it on this show, guys. We appreciate you as always. Again, thank you for the engagement of the last episode. This is what we love to hear. This is what this show is about to have everybody come together and have these tough conversations. The only one might podcast, call Gerard, signing off. Peace.