The money quote:
“Before the [Houston police review] board was established, Houston’s murder rate was falling relative to the rest of Texas. Those percentages represent real lives. The number of murders in Houston fell from 351 in 2007 to 198 in 2011, and then rose to 301 in 2016. Something clearly changed in 2011, and it is hard to think of any other likely explanation. Perhaps the city suffered because the police department proceeded too cautiously with the new review board looking over its shoulder.
“Houston’s rape rate increased by 44% after the board was created, and rose 8% faster than in the rest of Texas. Houston’s aggravated assault rate went up by 14%, 15% faster than elsewhere in the state.”
Correlation does not imply causation.
Journalists shouldn’t attempt math and statistics.