NY Gov Kathy Hochul calls rising crime ‘conspiracy’ theory, GOP ‘data deniers’

New York Governor Kathy Hochul Sunday called the suggestion that crime is on the rise in New York a conspiracy theory, and that Republicans who push the claim are “data deniers”. 

Hochul made the remarks during an MSNBC interview with Al Sharpton, who noted that Hochul’s opponent Lee Zeldin is campaigning on the issue of rampant crime in the Empire State and closing in on Hochul’s lead. 

“[Zeldin] pounced on instances of violent crime in New York City,” Sharpton said. “It’s been a consistent theme of his campaign ads. Is your campaign concerned that this issue might allow Zeldin to close the gap?” 

“These are master manipulators,” Hochul replied. “They have this conspiracy going all across America trying to convince people that in Democratic states, they’re not as safe. Well guess what? They’re also not only election deniers, they’re data deniers.” 

“It’s the Republican states where they have almost no restrictions on guns. . . . The safer places are the Democratic states,” she added. “I have faith in the voters of the state of New York. They know someone will actually be out there fighting for them and not try to arm everybody in the streets and think that’s the solution to the crime problem.” 

According to a CNN report last week, crime in New York City has risen 41% since last year, which includes nine homicides on the subway alone. 

According to data from the New York State Criminal Justice Services, rape in 2021 rose 10% from 2020 and 119.5% from 2012. Aggravated assault rose 9.5% in a year, and murder rose 4.4% from 2020 and 27.9% from 2012 overall. Data for 2022 are not yet available. 

A Harvard-Harris poll published this month shows that “crime and drugs” are two of the top issues concerning Americans. However, Americans believe that Democratic leadership are not very concerned with crime, placing it near the bottom of the list after January 6^th and climate change. 

Sixty-six percent of Americans believe that crime is on the rise, which 64% blame on woke politicians. 

Sixty-eight percent of voters said crime is a very Important issue for them when voting and 47% said the issue would make them more likely to vote Republican, against 35% who said Democrat.