[Drew68]

That said, it can’t be denied that wierdos and sickos seem to be on the increase.

"Seem to be" on the increase and "are" on the increase are two different things.

Fact is, they aren't.

[IYAS9YAS]

"Seem to be" on the increase and "are" on the increase are two different things.

Oh, they are on the increase. The numbers of sickos are up, but the rates with respect to the population usually run about the same.