**Headline: Colorado Springs Violent Crime Spikes 12.2% Since 2022, Bucking Statewide Downward Trend**

**COLORADO SPRINGS, CO** – A recent report from the Common Sense Institute indicates that while most of Colorado’s largest cities have seen a significant decrease in violent crime since 2022, Colorado Springs is a notable exception, experiencing a double-digit increase during the same period. The findings have sparked a debate among local residents regarding the accuracy of crime statistics and the reality of public safety on the ground.

The report, which analyzes crime trends across the state, highlights a sharp 36.25% decline in violent crime rates in Aurora. This figure is part of a broader trend suggesting an improvement in public safety for many of Colorado’s major metropolitan areas.

However, the data tells a different story for Colorado Springs. According to the institute’s findings, the city has seen a 12.2% increase in its violent crime rate since 2022, placing it in stark contrast to the downward trend observed elsewhere.

The report’s conclusions have been met with considerable skepticism from the public, with many readers questioning the methodology and interpretation of the data. The debate centers on whether the official numbers accurately reflect the community’s experience.

“Crime isn’t down. Reporting is down and the keeping of statistics has changed,” one reader commented on the findings. “They can make the numbers show anything they want the numbers to show.”

This sentiment was echoed by others who questioned the distinction between reported crime and actual incidents. “Actual crime, or the way police choose to respond (or not) or how they add it to different crime reports?” another asked, suggesting that changes in policing or administrative practices could be skewing the data.

Further criticism was aimed at the judicial system’s role in crime statistics. “Decriminalize everything and there is no crime!” one person stated. “Also the garbage plea deals the DAs hand out skew the numbers. Crime is horrible in Colorado.”

The ongoing discussion highlights a significant divide between the official data presented in the report and the public’s perception of safety in their communities. While the Common Sense Institute’s report provides a statistical snapshot, the response suggests that many residents remain unconvinced that the numbers tell the whole story.