Like journalists, prosecutors shaped a distorted view of crime. They can help fix it, too. - Poynter

"Journalists and prosecutors both tell stories meant to capture the public's attention, often focusing on individual acts of violence, which limits the broader understanding of crime."

"The gap between perception and reality shapes how people understand their own safety and the policies they support, reinforcing the idea that crime is a growing threat."

"Prosecutors have something that journalists need: data. Their data tells a different story from police data, revealing insights about case dismissals and racial disparities."

"In Broward County, State Attorney Harold F. Pryor tracks statistics on how defendants fare by race, providing publicly available information that can inform a more accurate narrative."

Prosecutors and journalists often present crime in a way that misleads the public about its prevalence. Both professions focus on individual acts of violence, creating a distorted view of crime as a constant threat. This perception affects public safety understanding and policy support. Prosecutors have valuable data that can provide a more accurate picture of crime, including case dismissals and racial disparities. Initiatives like those in Broward County show how this data can be used to inform the public more effectively.

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