A new Wall Street Journal analysis reveals 36 of the United States' 50 largest cities have seen murder rates increase by double-digit percentages this year.<br />A new Wall Street Journal analysis shows Austin leads the way. The Texas city and Chicago, Illinois, are the only two to record spikes of greater than 50%.<br />One significant contributing factor cited is that police departments have been 'destabilized' by the twin crises of the pandemic and the George Floyd protests.<br />But according to Newser, a mix of other factors appears to be at play as well.<br />For instance, young adults are no longer in school, and after-school programs and community activities that might keep them occupied have been shuttered.<br />Incidentally, shootings in general also are up across the US, though other violent crimes such as robbery are down.<br />Meanwhile, President Trump has been pushing a "law and order" theme, particularly in the suburbs. But polls suggest the strategy is not working.
