Crime, drug trade and other elements of civic pride

The upstate New York theme NYCO blog points out that hideous attempts at spin are hardly the exclusive province of national politicians.

WOKR in Rochester, NY, reports that: According to the FBI, one of every 330 people in our community [Rochester] became victims of violent crime in 2003; that's up about 5 percent from 2002. While crime rates dropped in other large upstate New York cities like Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany.

This might be seen as slightly less than desirable, but not according to Rochester's mayor Bill Johnson. Hizzoner beamed with pride, “It reflects the fact that Rochester is still the most affluent city in upstate New York. It’s one of the reasons we have rampant drug trade here, and where drugs are, you find a high degree of murder."

I swear this is NOT from The Onion.