JD Vance Claims Columbus Has 'Lawlessness,' But Data Disputes His Claim

Violent Crime in Columbus Remains at Historic Lows

Despite recent claims by Vice President JD Vance that cities governed by Democrats, including Columbus, have "allowed lawlessness to run wild," data shows that violent crime in Columbus remains at record lows. Vance made these remarks during a visit to Metallus, a steel manufacturer in Canton, as part of the Trump administration's efforts to promote the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. His comments targeted Columbus, Akron, and Canton, suggesting that local authorities have failed to maintain public safety.

Vance’s statements were fueled by viral videos of a July 25 fight in Cincinnati that circulated online. The footage showed a group of people attacking a man until he fell to the ground, followed by continued punches and kicks. A woman was also seen being punched in the face. These incidents were used by right-wing figures, including GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, to support their narrative about rising urban crime.

However, crime statistics in Columbus do not back up these claims. As of July 28, 2025, Columbus police had responded to 45 homicides, marking the city's lowest homicide rate in at least 12 years. In comparison, there were 55 homicides recorded in 2013 on the same date. Homicides peaked in 2021 with 205 recorded killings, but by July 28, 2021, only 125 homicides had been investigated.

Felony assault cases have also seen a significant decline. As of July 28, the Columbus police felony assault unit reported 454 cases. This is half the number compared to the same period in 2023, when 890 cases were reported. In 2024, the unit reported 625 cases for the year.

Columbus spokeswoman Jennifer Fening attributed the drop in crime to Mayor Ginther’s investments in public safety and downtown development, along with the work of Chief Elaine Bryant and the Columbus Division of Police. “Columbus is experiencing a more than 12-year-low in homicides and felonious assault,” she said in response to Vance’s remarks.

National Trends Show Declining Crime Rates

Columbus is not alone in seeing a decline in violent crime. Like many other major U.S. cities, it experienced a spike in homicides during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has since declined. Cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and New York have reported similar trends.

According to a July 2025 crime trend report by the Council on Criminal Justice, homicides in the first six months of 2025 were down 17% from the same period in 2024. The report tracked 13 offenses across 42 U.S. cities. Of those, 11 offenses decreased, including aggravated assaults (down 10%), gun assaults (down 21%), and sexual assaults (down 10%). Property crimes also saw declines, with robberies down 20% and carjackings down 24%.

The two offenses that did not decrease were drug offenses, which remained steady, and domestic violence, which rose 3%. The council noted that some cities saw spikes in homicides in 2020 and 2021, and about 38% of cities in the sample have since dropped to pre-2020 homicide levels.

Public Perception vs. Reality

Despite the decline in crime, public perception often does not match the reality. A Gallup poll conducted in October 2024 found that 49% of Americans believe there is more crime in their areas than a year ago, while 34% say there is less. When asked about national crime trends, 64% of respondents believed there was more crime in the U.S. than the previous year.

This gap between perception and reality is evident in Columbus as well. Despite low crime rates, some residents still perceive the Short North area as unsafe. A 2023 survey by the Short North Alliance found that 65% of suburbanites and 64% of Columbus residents outside the Short North said they were less likely to visit the neighborhood due to safety concerns. The survey followed high-profile shootings in the area.

Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance, acknowledged the misperceptions but emphasized that actual crime statistics show the area is safe. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther echoed this sentiment, calling the Short North one of the safest places in the city.

Conclusion

While political figures like JD Vance continue to highlight concerns about urban crime, the data tells a different story. Violent crime in Columbus, as well as other major U.S. cities, has declined significantly in recent years. However, public perception remains influenced by high-profile incidents and media coverage, leading to ongoing concerns about safety in certain neighborhoods.