As reported in today’s Journal Sentinel, Matthew Desmond (et. al.) has published new research that finds an association between the 2004 Frank Jude beating and the rate of 911 calls in Milwaukee:
[W]e find that residents of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods, especially residents of black neighborhoods, were far less likely to report crime after Jude’s beating was broadcast.
...
Police misconduct can powerfully suppress one of the most basic forms of civic engagement: calling 911 for matters of personal and public safety.
Going further, Desmond suggests a link between the post-Jude decrease in 911 calls and a subsequent spike homicides. As Desmond told the Journal Sentinel:
"I think the pattern of homicide data does suggest the drop in crime reporting in the immediate aftermath of Frank Jude might have contributed to that spike in a major way."
He doesn’t assert causation, but it’s implied. I’m not convinced that there’s enough evidence to even prove a correlation between the Jude beating and the increase in homicides. I’m curious what others think.