Kevin Ring

Most people I’ve talked to about crime over the past 15 years aren’t aware of this distinction. open.substack.com/pub/johnkroman…

- If the sentencing bill is enacted, Iowa's prison population is expected to rise 49% by FY 2030; and - Accommodating that increase in prisoners (tot = 4,363) will require one-time construction costs of $1.972 BILLION and $115.6 million in recurring operating costs. Wow.

before lawmakers had to vote. The estimate is now ready & available to the governor who has decide whether to sign or veto the bill. The fiscal note said: - Iowa's prisons currently operate at 27 percent above capacity and the corrections department has 121 officer vacancies;

The Iowa legislature recently approved a sentencing enhancement bill aimed at repeat offenders. The bill was amended just before it was sent to the governor. The legislative agency tasked with estimating the impact of the bill didn't have time to provide the final score...

Onion-level nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/… via @NYTimes

I am very excited about this and for our support from @Arnold_Ventures. "The National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) To Start Center For Forensic Policy And Practice To Improve Crime Clearance Rates" crimjj.wordpress.com/2026/05/14/ncj…

And we are pleased to support the Carla Walker Act, sponsored by @JohnCornyn and @SenPeterWelch, which will be considered by @SenJudiciaryGOP @JudiciaryDems tomorrow.

🚨🚨🚨 Big news: Senators @SenJohnKennedy & @SenBooker and Reps. @RepDwightEvans & @RepDonBacon have just reintroduced the VICTIM Act in the U.S. Congress! This bipartisan legislation will help law enforcement solve more violent crimes, and we're honored to have worked with these sponsors to develop it.

It would take the CFTC about 5 minutes to figure out who this was and whether there was any misconduct, assuming they want to.

So glad to be in St. Paul today to support this effort. Lawmakers and advocates from across the ideological spectrum pushing for smart reform. startribune.com/minnesota-bill…

Law enforcement leaders, elected officials, and criminal justice advocates gathered today at the Minnesota State Capitol to urge lawmakers to pass bipartisan legislation to fund a statewide grant program aimed at reducing nonfatal shootings, increasing clearance rates, and curbing gun violence before the regular session adjourns this year. The House Public Safety Omnibus bill passed earlier this week with strong bipartisan support and includes $1 million to improve clearance rates - the percentage of reported crimes that lead to an arrest - for nonfatal shootings. The proposed legislation and grant program included in HF1085, authored by Co-Chair Rep. Kelly Moller and co-authored by Co-Chair Rep. Paul Novotny, is modeled after the Non-Fatal Shooting Unit (NFSU), a collaborative initiative between the @RamseyCounty Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Offices and Saint Paul Police Department. The original bill, HF2742/SF3347, was introduced by Rep. @CedrickFrazier and @SenDoronClark. Launched in January 2024, the NFSU focuses on solving and charging "failed homicides" with intensive investigatory resources and cross-agency collaboration. By focusing on DNA, ballistics, and surveillance technology, investigators can solve cases even when victims are unable or unwilling to testify. The NFSU was modeled after a successful program implemented in Denver, Colorado. Since inception, the NFSU has produced measurable improvements in public safety in Saint Paul: -> Increased Clearance Rates: The solve rate for non-fatal shootings rose to 71% in 2025, up from 37% in just one year, and this rate may rise as Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) continues to investigate seven cases from 2025. -> Fewer Nonfatal Shootings: Non-fatal shootings dropped by 62%, from 183 to 73 from 2024 to 2025. ->Violence Prevention: "Shots fired" reports have decreased by 55% in 2025 -> Fewer Unsolved Homicides: Since the implementation of the NFSU, Saint Paul has achieved a 100% solve rate on homicides. Nationally, the average homicide solve rate is about 50%.

👮 BOP honors #CorrectionalWorkersWeek and the dedicated corrections professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In the spirit of this year’s theme, One Mission, Many Heroes, we remember their service, their courage, and the families who carry their legacy. Their commitment to public safety will never be forgotten. 🔗 Full Article bit.ly/4d8HgJk

@CharlesFLehman Would love your read on Philly’s decline, too.

I have a long piece forthcoming on Baltimore's homicide decline. It's about whether the decline is attributable to the city's focused deterrence implementation or new prosecutor. I will spoil the ending: the answer is both.

Focused deterrence does actually work

There is considerable evidence that running proactive long-term investigations and incarcerating the "power few" can reduce gun violence dramatically. It should be part of a layered strategy that focuses municipal attention (both law enforcement and social services) on the highest risk people in the highest risk communities.

Cities nationwide are seeing a surge in “juvenile takeovers”—large, social media-organized teen gatherings that can quickly spiral into chaos and disrupt public events. Here's how four agencies have responded to these takeovers and how they are planning for future events.

So when the Pentagon war-gamed this out and it got to the closure/blockade point, what happened next?

It’s time for Missouri to commit to solving more crimes columbiamissourian.com/opinion/guest_… via @comissourian

More of this, please.

If it’s possible, the Trump Justice Department’s new indictment of former FBI Director James Comey is even more absurd than the previous indictment. That one failed to state a crime. This one fabricates a crime. | @AndrewCMcCarthy nationalreview.com/corner/trump-d…

No 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 seed has ever won the men’s national championship, but ok. espn.com/mens-college-b…