Today's USA Today has a story explaining that according to Justice Department statistics, sex crimes against children fell by 79% since 1993. (from 4.8 per 1000 children to 1.0).
This includes a one-year drop (2002-03) from 2.7 to 1.0, which I suspect is probably a fluke because it is so large. But even if you believe the higher number that is a 43% drop. Wow!
It seems to me, more broadly, that America may be becoming more like Israel. Israel has ugly politics, issues with terrorism, but low crime. 20 years ago, America had fairly civil politics, no real terrorism issues, and lots of violent crime. It seems to me that in all three areas, America is becoming more like Israel- civilization-threatening terrorism problems (bad), ugly polarized politics (bad) but much more day-to-day safety (good). I don't know what to make of it, though I guess on balance we are better off.
Posted by lewyn
at 5:10 PM EDT
