[cylinder]

Why do Americans keep comparing crime rates to 30-50 years ago?

Compare to other societies now.

There’s supposed to be progress, and in other places, there has been.

[qgin]

Comparing a place to other places can help see what's possible, but comparing a place to itself in the past is how you judge progress, no?

[mikeyouse]

Of course they should compare both but how else would you judge progress but to look at the same city over a period of time?