[Gophack]

The governor's staff had little to say about the numbers Tuesday, a day after the report was made public. Davis spokesman Steven Maviglio speculated that the increase was one of the "first effects of the recession." His contention that crime "naturally increases" in bad times, however, is less than precise and, even if it were, it's not exactly comforting.

"We will continue to be vigilant," Maviglio said. "The governor has said repeatedly that public safety is not going to take a hit in the budget. That's one area he's not going to renege on his commitment."

On the first point: if bad times contribute to an increase in crime, then Davis IS culpable because he's done nothing to help the economy, and everything to kill it.

On the second point, what commitment IS he going to renege on?

[patton]

All of them, would be my guess.