[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Austin Justice [@AustinJustice](/creator/twitter/AustinJustice) on x 5768 followers Created: 2025-07-21 16:51:20 UTC Does poverty drive crime in Austin? Austin has poured money into poverty reduction with the goal of cutting crime: a taxpayer-funded Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, hundreds of millions for homelessness response, and a $XX million ARPA investment in housing and support services. In 2020, the city also shifted $XXX million from the police budget to social programs, explicitly linking the move to public safety. But there’s little evidence this strategy will reduce violent crime. Take New York City. Asian-Americans there have a poverty rate of 23%—higher than that of Black residents—yet they have the lowest violent crime arrest rates of any major group. In 2020, their murder arrest rate was just XXX per 100,000, nearly one-ninth that of Black New Yorkers. Their assault rates were even lower than those of whites, who are far less likely to be poor. This “crime/adversity mismatch” isn’t unique to NYC. It’s shown up across American history and in other countries. In the early 20th century, poor Jewish and German immigrants had low violent crime rates; poor Irish and Italians did not. In the UK today, some disadvantaged groups have elevated crime rates—others, like South Asians, don’t. Violent crime is rarely about having money or not. It’s usually about personal disputes, status, and social norms around conflict. That’s why crime often falls during economic downturns—like in the Great Depression and after the 2008 crash. If the goal is to cut violence, city leaders need to look beyond poverty or homelessness. It’s not about income. It’s about culture, behavior, and criminal deterrence through consistent and predictable law enforcement and prosecution. XXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [budgeting](/topic/budgeting) [investment](/topic/investment) [$7846t](/topic/$7846t) [money](/topic/money) [Post Link](https://x.com/AustinJustice/status/1947338614402150790)
[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
Austin Justice @AustinJustice on x 5768 followers
Created: 2025-07-21 16:51:20 UTC
Does poverty drive crime in Austin?
Austin has poured money into poverty reduction with the goal of cutting crime: a taxpayer-funded Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, hundreds of millions for homelessness response, and a $XX million ARPA investment in housing and support services. In 2020, the city also shifted $XXX million from the police budget to social programs, explicitly linking the move to public safety.
But there’s little evidence this strategy will reduce violent crime.
Take New York City. Asian-Americans there have a poverty rate of 23%—higher than that of Black residents—yet they have the lowest violent crime arrest rates of any major group. In 2020, their murder arrest rate was just XXX per 100,000, nearly one-ninth that of Black New Yorkers. Their assault rates were even lower than those of whites, who are far less likely to be poor.
This “crime/adversity mismatch” isn’t unique to NYC. It’s shown up across American history and in other countries. In the early 20th century, poor Jewish and German immigrants had low violent crime rates; poor Irish and Italians did not. In the UK today, some disadvantaged groups have elevated crime rates—others, like South Asians, don’t.
Violent crime is rarely about having money or not. It’s usually about personal disputes, status, and social norms around conflict. That’s why crime often falls during economic downturns—like in the Great Depression and after the 2008 crash.
If the goal is to cut violence, city leaders need to look beyond poverty or homelessness. It’s not about income. It’s about culture, behavior, and criminal deterrence through consistent and predictable law enforcement and prosecution.
XXXXX engagements
Related Topics budgeting investment $7846t money