Commentary SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—San Francisco’s mayor and police chief held a joint press conference July 12 to share mid-year crime statistics for the city by the bay. Having worked as an administrator with the city during six different mayoral administrations, I can attest to the fact that each and every mayor used such an occasion to present statistics in a manner which best reflected the crime policies they were supporting. These press conferences were usually conducted with an agreeing police chief, as this one was, but on occasion they appeared alone so as to deflect partial blame to other city departments. In San Francisco, where the chief of police is appointed by the mayor, it makes for a stronger “show” to have both appear together. As many of you know, statistics can be used in many different ways to justify particular and even opposing points of view. It’s how they are …