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According to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), crime rates in urban areas of the United States have not been falling and are actually worse than they were before the George Floyd era. The NCVS report for 2023 shows that the violent crime rate in urban areas increased by 40% from 2019 to 2023, and the urban property crime rate rose by 26% during the same period. In contrast, violent crime rates in suburban and rural areas have remained essentially unchanged since 2019. The NCVS findings are considered more reliable than FBI figures because they are finalized statistics and capture crimes whether they are reported to the police or not. The increase in urban crime is attributed to lax law enforcement policies adopted by many cities since 2020. [Extracted from the article]

Despite a drop in the annual rate of inflation in 2023, U.S. consumers still feel the effects of inflation due to their longer time horizon. Over the past three years, the consumer price index for all items has risen by 17.96%. For example, a tuna sandwich that cost $10 in 2021 now costs $11.80 in 2024, which feels like severe inflation to consumers. Additionally, wages have not kept pace with rising prices, and the introduction of tipping at takeout places has added to the perception of inflation. Government grants that helped lower-income consumers during the pandemic have also declined. Overall, consumers feel they are still battling price inflation. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of a "soft landing" for the Federal Reserve, which refers to reducing inflation without causing a recession. The author argues that the Fed has already achieved a soft landing, as inflation rates have decreased and the economy has shown solid growth. The article highlights the success of the Fed's efforts in controlling inflation and maintaining moderate wage settlements. However, it also acknowledges that there is still potential for things to go wrong in the future. Overall, the article presents a positive perspective on the current state of the economy and the Fed's actions. [Extracted from the article]