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Subscribe to RSSViolent crime rates in the U.S. are reaching historic lows, according to new FBI data released Monday.
Instances of murder declined overall by 1.9 percent from 2010 figures, while rape, robbery and aggravated assault declined by 4 percent nationwide, according to records from more than 14,000 law-enforcement agencies around the country, FBI spokesman Bill Carter told msnbc.com.
The number of property crimes also registered a 0.8-percent drop, motor-vehicle thefts declined by 3.3 percent, and arson was down by 5 percent.
Although the findings, released in the FBI’s Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, represent a seemingly small decline in crime overall, they aren’t just a blip. Rather, criminologists say, the decline is part of larger downward trend and the result of a series of changes that have contributed to a more peaceful society.
“This is actually a pretty significant drop, which is fascinating because we’d normally expect crime to go up when we’re in an economic downturn,” Gary LaFree, a criminology professor at the University of Maryland, told msnbc.com, adding that the U.S. is experiencing the lowest crime levels since World War II.
According to FBI analysis, the homicide drop would mean that nearly 280 fewer Americans were murdered last year, which would be the lowest homicide death toll since the mid-1950s.
LaFree said a combination of factors – from a weak economy and an aging population to increased immigration and a more robust police presence across the country – have contributed to the drop.
“One of the responses of society is to pull together when there’s a huge crisis and a feeling of great difficulty,” LaFree said, adding that the economic climate may have contributed to this peaceful trend.
Additionally, with the current U.S. median age at 37.2 years, older than ever before, the aging population is another possible cause, LaFree said. “There is some truth to the fact that younger people commit more crimes,” he said.
“We also have a record number of immigrants, and contrary to popular belief,” LaFree said, “immigrants have lower crime rates than the rest of society.”
But some argue the data may not signify such remarkable changes.
“Year-to-year changes are notoriously volatile, especially for lesser-volume crimes like murder,” James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University in Boston, wrote in his blog. “They must be viewed with caution, avoiding the temptation to make too much out of rather little.”
Fox said it’s possible the long-term downturn in crime has slowed and even bottomed out.
Still, LaFree argued there’s a reason the numbers indicate what they do.
“Compared to years ago, “There’s nothing that’s ripping apart the fabric of society in a political sense,” LaFree said.
The mass protests during the Vietnam War and the beginnings of crack cocaine epidemic contributed to more violent crimes in the past, LaFree said. He said he thinks there are fewer problems as extreme as either of those in society today.
As for the serious crimes that do occur, there exists a strong deterrence factor in the prison system, despite debates about its effectiveness, he said.
But more importantly, LaFree said, there has been a “quiet revolution” in law-enforcement policy over the past few years.
“Police departments have become much more proactive across the country,” Lafree said. “They used to deploy resources to handle crime, but now they’re much more likely to target problems beforehand and emphasize a solution.”
Fox, however, warned against resting on news that could be seen as too positive.
“With rates relatively low, this is not the time to diminish crime fighting-efforts,” he said. “If we naively presume that the crime problem has been solved (as opposed to just controlled for the time being), the crime rate could easily rebound.”
The FBI's final crime figures will be released this fall.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- US Commerce secretary in car crashes suffered a seizure
- Chicago's bloody weekend: 8 dead, 40-plus wounded
- Sandusky child sex-abuse trial under way
- 3 killed, 3 wounded in shooting near Auburn University
- Report: NYPD fires Orthodox Jew recruit for refusing to trim beard
- Video: Stepfather in hot water for child beating
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Seattle would beg to differ.
maybe there was a spike last year (I don't live in seattle), but otherwise: "Adjusted for population, the crime rate per 1000 in 2010 was the lowest since 1967. The City also had the fewest homicides since 1956."
We should give credit where credit is do. Thank you President Obama!
Marlen- I guess you didn't read the article today about Obama's home town Chicago. It's also on the front page of MSNBC. They are just practicing Obama's share the wealth programs the more people you kill and rob the more wealth you can acquire
This weekend in Chicago - 8 killed and 40 wounded. Detroit must be jealous. What another line of crap news.
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/11/12166475-chicagos-bloody-weekend-8-dead-40-plus-wounded?lite
What did Obama do? Obama is just another empty promise figurehead, just like the next President will be (whether in a few months or 4+ years)
Escape from CHICAGO!
Obama being president affected this number. African Americans now have more hope so they are giving up crime in large numbers and are looking forward toward a brighter future and possibilities.
Hmmmm. Gun sales up, crime down. Coincidence, Magic 8 Ball? NO.
I am surprised that some on the vine don't blame this "violent crime decline" on the NRA! ;.P
Agreed stonepipe. 100% Its got nothing to do with Law enforcement either.. They show up after the fact.. Too many punks plea bargain their way out of serious crimes and are back on the street in days. I'm packing and believe in the castle doctrine!
OK, Renee, you've proven that you can cut and paste. Now stop regurgitating what's already on the record, STFU and GTYR. This area is intended for grown-ups with adult opinions. You have nothing to add. Go away.
EXACTLY.
And it is election time so you can believe the fairy, the elf and the little pixie girl all live and will come to see you soon
That, by the way, was just this weekend in Chicago...
So this article is nothing but a fluff piece and I don't buy it for a minute.
By the way...I wonder what is different in Chicago this year.....oh...wait...Rahm Emmanuel is now the mayor.
Criminals are undernourished and too weak to commit.
Record high gun sales = less crime??
This article makes no mention of under-reporting on these crimes or the very real phenomenon of law enforcement agencies manipulating data for political reasons. For that reason alone, any picture of our nation that it seeks to provide is incomplete.
Renee, what does President Obama's policies have to do with his hometown? He LIVED there. He was never mayor, never on the city council, never was involved with the formulation of any policy in the city of Chicago. He served in the Illinois Senate, the U.S. Senate, and as President. None of those posts had direct or even indirect control over the police or public services. He is as much responsible for the crime in Chicago as you are for each and every crime committed in your hometown. Now kindly shut up until you can make some actual sense.
I was just going to say "Except here in Seattle" We've had more murders in the first 5 months of this year than we had all last year.
I think that if we can find any excuse at all not to believe this trend and, in fact, find a way to make this some indictment on how horrible a president my own personal bias makes Obama seem I think we should take it. Facts are for snobby elitists and folks who can read.
Of course Violent Crime is down. We have the highest prison population per capita in the world. It's not cheap either.
The policy changes are simple. Cops, prosecutors and judges care less about civil rights and more about putting people behind bars. Sure it lowers crime rates, but at what cost?
Geez, the FBI must not be watching the same 10 o'clock news that I do....and it's not Chicago...but night after night, the first three or four stories are shootings. Methinks some statistics are being massaged.
Spidey, if it bleeds it leads, you must know that by now. Crime is down, not gone.
You know what's at an all time high, the perception of crime. That's why you get many of the comments from those who don't believe the statistics...because of the extreme fear of crime.
Also, Seattle has had 21 murders this year, it's higher than last year, but still isn't likely to be an extreme outlier from the last ten years. People need to get deeper than comparing this year to last, because last year was good doesn't mean this year is bad...murders and violent crime will continue to happen, you will always be able to find plenty of examples. That, however, doesn't mean the statistics are wrong.
Lastly, anyone out there who is interested in the real reasons crime has her dropped since the early 80's should read Freakenomics.
The professor LaFree is an idiot. This proves educated liberals are useless in solving the reasons for something that did not exist outside of their books. No intelligence. The reasons crime is down to historic lows is because of Camera's are everywhere! Criminals and thugs know that they cant commit crimes without a camera catching a glimpse of them somewhere near a crime scene. And the people that are still committing crimes are to stupid or psychotic to stop. Only an idiot would say its because of the many police we have. This is just another excuse to hire more government workers. This story is a Pr ploy and or just propoganda from the democrats. The democrats love big government.
The calm before the storm. This economic mess is long from over, and things are going to heat up real quick once people start to get sick and tired of our useless, overbudgeted federal government and rapidly declining fiat currency.
@Liberalsaredillusional (delusional?)
For a complex issue like this it's ridiculous to try and ascribe any one factor as the reason why violent crime is down. They do studies to determine things like that. It's not always as intuitive or obvious as you would think. It's really disheartening to see such intellectual distrust becoming pervasive in society and the tie-in with a political angle sounds paranoid.
@Benure
Agree with you completely the perceptions of most people in this country regarding violent crime is completely out of whack with reality. It doesn't help when stories get sensationalized in the media either.
Yes, thank you Mr. President! Because of you, gun ownership is up. The results speak for themselves.
Well yea, Violent crime is down the criminals can't afford the gas to travel to commit these crimes they sure as hell ain't going to do it where they live and are known, they can't even afford an illegal weapon to commit these crimes, and it ain't worth going out to rob someone that has no job, they are probably worst off then the criminal, see how recession helps with driving down crime.
I went to a criminal court today to take care of a suspended driver's license issue. (In Sanford, FL, of all places!). I got it resolved after paying some hefty fines and got some needed documentation, etc, etc.
What amazed me about the court is how the judge went out of his way to encourage people to "succeed". Every time he had a young person in front of him he'd asked them, "So what's your education level?" If they say they didn't graduate from HS the judge would tell them to please get their GED and then point to his name in front of him and say something like, "Once you get your GED call me, I'd love to come to your graduation party. I want to see you do good in life."
They all turned around with a big smile on their face.
This is the kind of humanity the US justice system needs if it really wants to see people become a better person.
When the judge was done with my case I got close to the microphone and said, "Thank you so, so much your honor". And he goes , "Take care, dude."
And this is why I always like to say, "Citizenship is sacred".
Flint, MI and Detroit, MI beg to differ as well.
More medical marijuana being sold now that it is legal in many states. Now I found that smoking a little weed calms people down and everyone gets along better. This effect should therefore lead to less violent crime. You may have an increase in stolen candy or donuts, but stoned people are generally not going to get violent.
To test this theory further just legalize weed already and watch violent crime fall ever lower. Almost guaranteed. If you have any experience at all with smoking weed you will know what I am talking about. If you really have never used weed, then we please listen to those who have experience with it and are very productive members of society. The stuff works for a lot of things. Number one it calms you down. Therefore less violence. More love.
cheers to all
Violent crime is down! You'd never suspect that with all the violent crimes announced with the daily news. And notice that it did not discuss, nor did it consider all the deaths on the war fronts pushed by the Republican politicians? There was an extremely large number of our young people fighting 2 wars at once. I bet there were few and most likely none of the the politicians children fighting on the front line in either of the 2 wars? After all, they are the entitled privileged elite too good to really support our Country on the front war lines. It's too bad we can't "replace all the good for nothing politicians on all levels" to include all the states and all the cities with the returning Veterans, who really know what life is about and how precious it is. That is more than just service to our Country. And politicians nowadays just serve themselves and their 2% buddies. Now the police want drones, not to patrol the borders; but to fly over our bedrooms everywhere without a court order from the Judges along with Federal funding as -well-as using the tax payers money. Oh, and they are doing this in some select cities right now just in case you didn't know that little detail. It seems that they feel they are above the law, too. Also, if what the FBI says about violent crimes being lower, then wouldn't that be true as well with the drug wars, or do they not consider that a violent crime? Is that what you would consider speaking out of both sides of the mouth at the same time?!? Vote for Romney, he's good at changing his stories on a weekly basis saying he stands by what he says even if he doesn't recall saying it. A perfect example of a politician nowadays.
I used to work for a municipality's police force, third largest in the state. I worked in the records department at the time.
Yes, crime is going down, not because of actual prevention, citizens being armed, police officers making more arrest. The reason it has gone down is the reporting guidelines the FBI asks the police departments to do.
The FBI requires the reports to be used to calculate the crime data to be in at a specified dead line (usually the last business day in March of any given year).
They also want the report to FIT their version such as race can not be reported to them, weapons used or not and so fourth, if the Police Department's reporting does not fit exactly how the FBI wants it the department's statistics do not get added. Such as a "Rape" is not counted as a "Rape" but an assult (which it is but most department break out sex crimes separately), if it is a rape but it in volved a juvenile in some way it does not get reported. The FBI often tells these police departments in mid February.
Now with the costraints of how the FBI wants the report many departments can not either meet the deadline or the reporting constraints and decide NOT to report it at all.
So with that in mind if 100 departments did not report, of course crime is going down.
Is this news coming from the same group of prostitute party players protecting the President? LOL!! Fine upstanding role models of the law regardless of what Dept. they come from.
I consider the rape of a young child an extremely violent crime. The police dept can or should report it to the FBI without using the child's name. Look at how the Catholic Church protected the rapist without reporting those large number of violent crimes. Then look at who protected them by moving the priests to other areas. It goes all the way up to the top echelons, who are never held accountable for their involvement, or lack thereof.
"FBI: Violent crime rates in the US drop, approach historic lows"
I say: Blame it on Bush :)
I agree with marlen.
The economy is now so bad there is no one to steal from.
How many large cities have skewed their stats just so they appear safer than what they really are in order to get convention business that would have gone elsewhere had they seen the REAL STATS.
Poor Seattle, they got rid of their NBA team and the crime went UP!!!
yes more guns mean less crimes..............just ask Treyvon's parents to see if they agree
@marklepew
Why would we ask someone with an obviously biased opinion? Should we also ask Zimmermans parents? No, that would not make any sense either. Hey, I know, let's wait and ask the 12 people who will hear all of the facts of the situation untainted by the media.
Ciewywtb42mh6sps-23 - No, questioning how the stats are compiled, asking valid questions about the integrity of the data, and recognizing the very real phenomenon of under-reporting is not skewing the facts to fit preconceived notions or fuel personal biases. In fact, it shows a greater degree of critical thinking than your blind acceptance of this as gospel. Which, by the way, betrays some personal biases of their own. Furthermore, your readiness to reduce anyone questioning this to the level of an illiterate simpleton demonstrates your own unjustified ego. It's a simplistic evaluation, full of rancor, and devoid of any substantive analysis.
see, holder's plan of getting guns out of the usa and into the hands of mexican drug dealers worked perfectly.
Sorry, an environment where everyone is armed and dangerous does not give me comfort. Seems like a powder keg waiting to go off!
@Rod_Father
And exactly how many times has this potential powder keg gone off in our 200+ year history? Seems like you suffer from an irrational fear.
The over budgeted gov. issue is not going to go away over night. Don't fool yourself about that for one minute. It is not going away for years. Have you not been paying any attention to what is happening to EU? They are headding for a depression and if it doesn't happen it will still take them a long time to recover. If you have been paying anything to something other than your predjudes you would have realized that we have not recovered from the recession that started in 2007. Most of you just want to make smartass remarks and don't have one clue how serious you situation really is. All the jobs that were started up since the beginning of the year and the jobs that people have been working before that are pretty much hanging by a thread.
backcountryxxxxnumbers,
As people can only provide unbiased opinions about things they have no interest in, your zealous fervour regarding a trail with jurors is understood but misdirected and somewhat hypocritical. At no time have I ever advocated that the legal system isn't used to establish the guilt or innocence of Zimmerman. I did mention that the gun issue that has repeatedly expounded by several posters exclaiming that more guns equals safety is false. It doesn't take 200 years of history to go back to a few situations of the "powder keg" going off. I seems you have a very short memory........Texas tower, Kent State, Reagan shot, e, Lincoln, MLK assassination, Louder in Arizona recently.
@marklepew
Was that supposed to be a serious statement? I am interested in the Martin-Zimmerman case and yet I have managed to not form an opinion one way or the other as I recognize that I don't have all of the facts. Does that not make me unbiased?
Zealous fervor? You certainly are prone to exaggeration. As I've always said, if you have to use gross exaggeration to make your point you likely never had a valid point to begin with.
And at no time did I suggest that you did advocate such a thing.
Kent State? So the National Guard shouldn't be armed either?
Aside from that ridiculous example, you seem to have no clue what a powder keg is or what happens when it "goes off". Isolated incidents carried out by individuals would hardly be comparable to an "explosion" unless of course you are prone to exaggeration. Please refer again to my comment regarding exaggeration.
And for your education regarding the analogy of a "powder keg"-" Powder keg is also a metaphorical term sometimes political, socio-economic, historical or other circumstances have made the subject prone to outbursts. The analogy is drawn from a perception that certain territories may seem peaceful and dormant until another event triggers a large outburst of violence."-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_keg
1.11 deleted, Renee - Northern CA with a bushel of copyright infringement. Excerpt and link.
You're suspended for a day for violating #4 of the Code of Honor.
Warren S. Levine, you're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor. Ignore rather than flame if you think someone's contributions are useless, or at least stick to addressing the contributions and not the contributor.
Back,
Yes....... you have a bias if you are interested in the subject, even if you are unaware of that bias or even if you state not having formed an opinion. You, of all people, have an opinion on most everything based on your previous posts. But a lot of people like to lie to themselves to feel better. So go ahead have a KitKat bar you deserve a break today.
Yes ..........you suggested we have no knowledge of the legal system by condescendingly saying "here is an idea blah blah blah"......it is somewhat amusing to see you get all passive/ aggressive when being called out on that........now you're a victim??
Trying to making a valid point by opining about an adjective being an "exaggeration" and therefore the rest of my point is invalid is classic contextomy.
Finally your kettle logic of asking "So the National Guard shouldn't be armed either?" to defend your position that having arms readily available make us inherently safer is quite a comedic stretch that it doesn't even deserve the time I took to type addressing your utterly ridiculous argument.
@marklepew
Ditto to your entire post, mis-quotes and all. I've read your post twice and still am unsure what the hell you are even talking about. It's almost as if you're having a conversation with yourself. Never suggested you didn't understand the legal system just that it is more valid than an opinion of someone directly affected, never pretended to be a "victim", you were the one who mentioned Kent State which was shootings perpetrated by the National Guard. You twist and warp things in your mind to fit your argument and subsequent defense of your non sequitur.
This is why I rarely waste my time reading your posts, they just don't make any sense. Perhaps you allow your rabbit to post for you, That would explain a lot.
back,
thanks for the reply, I think you are being a little dishonest saying you "rarely read my posts" based on the number of times you have replied to them........... but then what do I know. I agree with you on one point arguing with some people is a fool's errand. Even my rabbit thinks you're silly........:>)
Funny - all those cities that people are posting would "beg to differ" are in some of the areas with the tightest gun restrictions. This article sure doesn't seem to play into the gun-grabbers hands, does it? I guess you can deduce from this that even though the media spoon feeds you every single sensationalized article about violence it can find, the truth is that there's less and less occurring every year. Wow, how about that...
This is great news, Great job to our Law Enforcement services around America for keeping crime at an all time low.
Yes, great job now since the cities can't balance budgets heres your pink slip ! However I wouldn't believe anything statistic coming from ANY government agency. every person is appointed by the party in charge and I find it strange all this EVERYTHING IS GREAT B.S. just before election time !!!!
Things that make you go HMMMMMMMM !!!!!!!!! Obama might put his foot in his mouth with the great crime be low, when he is trying to push for more police if anything we need more firefighters new mexico & colorado is burning down !!!!
It's OK Mikey, the big bad scary shadows will go away and you can go back to sleep.
More firefighters? What are you some kind of liberal communist? The government can't do anything right? Why do you want some government bureaucrat firefighter when you could pay the private sector to do it for you, and if you can't afford to pay then your house can just burn.
After all, Mitt Romney says we don't need any more firefighters in this country.
But how can we afford firefighters with liberals plunging us neck deep in debt with porkulus and welfare spending?
To NoScope Post # 2.4:
To quote your comment:
Try putting the people to work with decent wages to cope with the basic daily living expenses, and then you wouldn't have to pass out quite so much welfare. Isn't it funny how the alert citizens always blame this on the poor and Obama? Oh, I forgot, none of them want to work. LOL! Whatever would the right wing people do without those two groups to blame for everything? And while we are discussing these issues of who is to blame, are you even aware of the vast numbers of people that the fine upstanding Rooney's company put out of work? Yet claims that he knows how to create jobs putting people back to work. LOL !!!! Those company facts speak for themselves. He not only put the people out of work, but the companies as well. Also, Romney is in favor of abolishing the minimum wage salary for the right to work for lower wages. If that's okay with you, then vote for him; but don't complain later as to why you can't meet your expenses, or your pockets are not deep enough, or you can't get an advanced educational degree without the right political connections or daddy's deep pockets.
There is a reason why Romney isn't the main wave in MA, but don't take my word for it just because I live in MA, it can be FACTED CHECKED. http://www.factcheck.org/2011/07/romneys-economic-exaggerations/
@An Independent Thinker
No we're not. Was it more or less people than President Obama put out of work when the gov restructured GM and closed hundreds of dealerships? Or is that sort of thing perfectly fine when a democrat does it? Must be since the vast majority of people working at Bain Capitol are and support democrats but we never hear people like you bitching about them. http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/205025-dems-receive-more-bain-dollars-than-gop
Less than 4% of the workforce currently earn minimum wage or less. The VAST majority of businesses have to pay more than min now just to get decent help. So yeah, let's do away with the min wage so those with little education and no experience will be able to get their foot in the door and prove they are willing to work despite their disadvantages. Can't climb the ladder when people like you prevent them from even getting their foot on the bottom rung. http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2009.htm
So much for last year, but the way it's going here San Antonio it seams that these numbers or going on the incline for next years tally.
Just how safe are American women? How do they compare to other countries? What does a 4% decrease in our crime rates really mean? If you were to rely on NationMaster for the answer, you'll find that our rate of rape is so high that we're not even on their list. You must refer to the US Statistical Abstract to get the REST of the story. But be careful. You might get the impression that in 2007, New Orleans was the Rape Capital of the World, as it WAS the Murder Capital of the World (at 94.7 murders per 100,000).
But you would be wrong. With only 52.1 rapes per 100,000, women were significantly safer there than they were in Minneapolis where the rate of rapes was 2.4 TIMES higher, at 121.8. And THIS doesn't even consider the claim by feminists that at least half all rapes go unreported, meaning the ACTUAL rate in Minneapolis was 243.6!
According to NationMaster, the one country where women are the MOST raped is Lesotho, with a rate of 84.4.
Are we to believe that women in Minneapolis are THREE TIMES more likely to be raped than the very poor women of Africa, in Lesotho? Israel, at 16.6, is 7th on this list of rape rates, yet women there are ONE FIFTEENTH as likely to be raped as women of Minneapolis.
Women in Minneapolis are 2,436 TIMES more likely to be raped than women in Egypt where there are only 0.1 rapes per 100,000.
So crime is down 4%? Women in Minneapolis are now raped at a rate of "only" 233.9? Today they are only 2,339 TIMES more likely to be raped than women in Egypt?
Both CNN and BBC refer to the DR Congo as "the rape capital of the world":
"Margot Wallstrom, the UN's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, urged the Security Council to punish the perpetrators in DR Congo.
Rape remained a dominant feature of the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, with impunity being the rule rather than the exception, she said.
More than 8,000 women were raped during fighting in 2009, the UN says."
Only 8,000 women were raped in the rape capital of the world? This is PEANUTS compared to the 50,400 American women that feminists claim were raped right HERE, in one YEAR! With a population of 75 million in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this is a RATE of only 10.9 rapes per 100,000.
So the FBI tells us that the REAL rape capital of the world is Minneapolis where women are TWENTY TWO TIMES more likely to be raped than African women in the midst of a CIVIL WAR??
Where are CNN and BBC when we need them?
"So much for last year, but the way it's going here San Antonio it seams that these numbers or going on the incline for next years tally."
Sure SEEMS that way, doesn't it? But it isn't. It's the wonderful work of the MSM that has skewed your perception. You only get what they spoon feed you.
That's because the police departments changed the way they count crimes. And unemployment is going down because they are shortening the period one can draw unemployment.
Unemployment numbers have absolutely nothing to how many people are collecting unemployment.
Get educated, do some research. You do have access to the internet, don't you ? Use your computer for soemthing other htan a facebook page.
Hank-1921206
Computers have spell check /winks
Hank (Post # 3.1):
To quote you:
Do you know how to spell the 3 bold words above? The computer dictionary will provide assistance.
Weird, almost every other news story on the web and TV is about a violent crime.
people are attracted to sensational stories..sex, crime, money, celebrities. No surprise there.
You should never confuse the number of violent crime reports with the number of actual violent crimes. The two hardly ever coincide.
Remember that year with all the shark attacks? People still remember it because every single shark attack was reported. Turns out that year there were fewer shark attacks than usual -- the media just latched onto it.
Child abductions have been in steady decline since the 50s, but reporting on them has gone up every year, leading to the misconception that children are less safe these days than they were in the "good old days" when they would roam the neighborhood without a care. In fact, it's safer to allow your children to roam the neighborhood without supervision now than it has ever been.
The difference is, back in the 50s, it was considered horrific and almost obscene to report on violent crimes, especially those involving children. Only trash newspapers would try to get sales with tactics like slapping murders on the front page. Nowadays, news outlets don't even blink about reporting the most hideous violence you can imagine, with startlingly graphic details. They'd do just about anything to outsell their competitors (or, more correctly, to get you to click on their bookmark first).
The good stuff is rarely reported. MSNBC must have found a change of heart. Amazing!
"The good stuff is rarely reported. MSNBC must have found a change of heart. Amazing!"
Doubtful - just an oversight...
the police would love to take credit, and scare us into thinking we need more, more...I think it's just that people know about DNA and forensics now and won't risk getting caught....
Notice they never mention the 2008 SCOTUS ruling that Americans do have the right to bear arms.
When a criminal doesn't know if their next victim, the next house they break into, might be an armed citizen, it makes them think twice.
Notice all the stories of mass murders are coming from Chicago, California, Washington, the places with the most restrictive gun laws in the Nation.
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." - Robert A. Heinlein
maybe because crime rates have been coming down long before 2008? And hence the scotus ruling meant nothing?
Heinlein knew his stuff....maybe he learned it from those radicals like Washington and Jefferson?
I guess you didn't read the entire article.
All the experts expect crime rates to go up during a recession because they always have in the past.
We are suffering the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression and yet crime rates are going down.
It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the Record setting number of gun sales since 2008 could it...
Before you decide to mug someone, or break into a house, or jack someones car, just think about the millions of guns that have been flying off the shelf, and ask yourself if you feel lucky.
P.S. In a CCW class they teach you that drawing and using your weapon is an absolute last resort and only if you feel your loved ones, others, or yourself, are in a Life threatening situation where you must defend yourself.
They don't teach you to try to wound your attacker. They don't teach you to try to be compassionate. They teach you to shoot to kill.
Three to the Chest.
Drug related property crimes, aggression, and homicides are epidemic. Here in Wayne County, WV we don't bother to report property crimes any longer. County cannot afford to pay regional jail fees to incarcerate prisoners. Thus, only the most severe crimes are punished. PROPERTY CRIMES ARE NOT EVEN INVESTIGATED -- AND ONLY PUNISHED WHEN A CONNECTED PERSON IS THE VICTIM -- HENCE MOST GO UNREPORTED.
Sorry David, but with thirteen years dealing with adults and juveniles who have been arrested, gun ownership has no value in their decisions to commit or not to commit a crime - it's generally a timing issue. The biggest deterrent is a loud barking dog in someone's home. And since selling guns in the streets is desirable, if someone knows you own weapons, your house will be a target to steal them. A higher police presence in certain areas has worked well, along with mentoring in high risk neighborhoods. Many businesses also use surveillance cameras. There are many new means of deterrents used now than just ten years ago. I personally have no need to own a weapon. I don't fear what may or may not happen. Cities that have employed various methods have seen a drop.
I am sorry about your community, Jarhead. I notice that Wayne County is an impoverished county compared to West Virginia as a whole, perhaps that's why. It's not really what those FBI statistics are about though; they are about the country as a whole.
Shared nest; Please explain further?
I'm sorry Woodysr - I try to avoid lengthy posts. Using the term "cities" should be expanded to include counties and municipalities as well. Anyway, we can add to the list: community based police initiatives (cops on bikes/foot, active in their area's activities); gang training for LEO's and providing information in schools; schools/agencies better addressing economic, mental health, and other issues to increase student support; providing better access to services that directly impact high risk individuals; drug prevention services; services and education on domestic violence; and the list can go on. Communities that use a holistic approach - especially addressing the underlying issues of crime, are finding better success. In the long run, prevention is far cheaper. I mostly worked in case management and loved working with kids. I'm sorry for not being clear.
I wasn't trying to be confrontational or argumentative, just curious. Your answer was fully explanatory. BUT that's a hell of a difficult row to hoe! Suppressing "Gangs" is difficult, (impossible?) How can a kid survive in a tough neighborhood without gang affiliation?
Woodysr, I didn't take any offense to your question at all. In fact, it made me realize the last line was unclear. It's hard for these kids to live normal lives and at times it seems like everything and everyone is against them. Education is truly the key - that and getting them to see there is a life beyond hell. I've lost some kids in the past (I'm no longer in case management) and my heart never stops breaking. A lot of mentoring and opportunities away from the neighborhood helps. I don't know if I can return to that line of work again because I can't hit the off switch when I get home. In Hillsborough County, FL, our Sheriff's Office in on the gang issue 24/7. I have to hand it to our men and women in uniform for what they do. There's also a lot of undercover ops dealing with gangs. Can't go into detail - sorry. But it's effective.
True. Why dismiss Legal Gun ownership as a deterrent to crime?
While your doing your Counseling, tell them that more guns have been sold in the last three years than at any other time in history. Tell them that every time they think of mugging someone, Breaking into a house, etc. they are literally taking their life in their own hands.
Ask them how getting three shots to the chest sounds compared to getting a couple a couple of years in Jail getting free room and board...
David, I don't think we'll have a meeting of the minds tonight. Some of these kids/adults have a death wish. Their lives are so miserable, dying is not something they fear. And I'm not a counselor. I dealt with case/legal work for the courts and recommendations, which require a ton of background material on each case. On a positive note, I like your avatar. It denotes balance in life. I hope you have a good evening.
I really wish more people understood that violence solves nothing. Diffusing negative attitudes along with changing undesireable environments is such a good thing. Education and proper health care is so IMPORTANT. It is most unfortunate more people don't help each other to achieve happiness. Society has so much to gain by it!!!
@sharednest
If they do indeed have a death wish, as you suggest, than I am more than happy to oblige them in their quest if they try to assualt me, break into my house, or threaten my family. The best deterent is a well armed, well trained, lawful citizen with a magazine full of .45's
chuckzul - even law enforcement would disagree.
many are re thinking their odds and robbing as a career choice with so many ppl that are CCW equipped
Um, do you think junkies make rational decisions?
um, do you think that junkies are the only ppl that commit robbery and muggings?
How ignorant must a person be to believe that violent crime has been dropping. This is all about statistical manipulation. I am more inclined to believe their ability to catch violent criminals has dropped significantly.
Very importantly, it's an election year. Can't have stats pointing the wrong way, can we?
The crime rates have been dropping for several years now.
Yeah, everybody should instead judge crime rates nationwide from their neighborhood watch newsletter and their podunk local 6 o'clock news. Moron.
Chicago's bloody weekend, 8 dead 40 injured:
Memorial Day weekend 10 people were killed in Chicago.
Its not just gangbangers any longer.
Yeah, it basically is gangbangers with an occassional crazy family member thrown in.
Several of the muggings this past weekend took place in "good" areas (Gold Coast, Navy Pier) and what most Chicagoans would consider to be safe neighborhoods.
Yeah, I was wondering whether someone had told them Chicago had been expelled from the country.
An honest law-abiding citizen can't get a concealed carry license in Chicago. Not anywhere in Illinois. Is there a relationship? Just sayin.
Figures don t lie, but, liars figure..
the Fbi is full of it...
I would certainly like to see where those statistics came from. I live in DETROIT - MURDER CAPITAL OF THE USA. Our crime rate is record breaking. Why lie. Crime is up all over the country.. EVERYDAY I read about several murders throughout the country. When will the government or its employees tell the truth. Shame on you!
of course you read about "several murders" a day...the average is around 50. Lower than a few decades ago when the average was around 70.
http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/january-2012/crime-data
More people are arming themselves, except for the Mexican dope runners. The DOJ is arming the cartels.
It is odd how crime figures are officially dropping, but people appear more afraid and feel less safe than ever. When I was a young Air Force Airman in the early 70's and was making a cross country trip, all alone, I would stop at a rest stop and take a nap on a table bench in the middle of the night. I don't even stop at rest stops after dark anymore.
that is odd. I wonder why. I know I feel safer than I did a few decades ago.
Vermont see how safe you feel in a OWS pup tent
People feel more afraid and less safe than ever because of the media's "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality. We've had decades of this now, compounded by 24-hour news cycles creating the necessity for running these stories over and over.
Bottom line, getting your news from TV is not a good idea. It just will make you fearful.
We have record levels of folks in prison = the criminals are in prison !. We have concealed-carry like never before and getting more of it. Home security systems - with cameras. Cameras in businesses. Makes convictions easier. We have welfare systems to provide food, homes and medical care to people who would otherwise be destitute and desparate. Most of our crime is drug induced. Police have changed tactics again - community based policing. The older criminals find it hard to ourrun the cops carryng a TV. Many things have contributed to the lower crime rate. IT'd be a big mistake to start taking things for granted and begin loosening up the tight controls. Now if we could start to control the border..............
Well, I'm sure Romney will tell you crime is down because law enforcement is following his plan...
Then use this as a an example to back up his thoughts we need less policemen...
Couldn't prove this story by me based on the news I listen to each night!! Seems it's one violent act after another the broadcasters tell us about.
Because they know that people like watching crime reports, not because there are more crimes to be reported.
Yes, yes, "the newsman said."
Time for your nap, you old curmudgeon, before Matlock comes on.
Record numbers of people have armed themselves in self defense as well, crime does not pay so well if your intended victim pulls firearm and ventilates your happy butt. However, lower crime rates, along with secure borders and law abiding illegal immigrants will look good this close to election time. I trust the FBI, don't you?? Government running guns and laundering money, no crime there. Government intimidation of states, brow beating citizens, armed EPA showing up at farms over complaints. Nope, no crime there. 4 dead here, 14 there, whole family's wiped out, face eaters, porn cannibal, drive by shootings, etc, no, really, nothing violet there. But, then remember the entitled ones don't count. Look up FBI: Blowers, Smoke.
Thank you for sharing your fantasy with us, but no, carrying a gun doesn't keep someone from robbing you at gunpoint. Here in Arizona, it is quite common for Mr. Wannabe Cowboy to find himself staring down the barrel of a gun while his assailant steals not only his wallet but also his gun! I mean, let's face it, hotshot-- you can't reach under your shirt, un-holster your weapon, point it at the robber, flip off the safety, and pull the trigger before Mr. Robber moves his own finger 1/4" and puts a hole in YOU! So please, spare us the BS about how concealed carry laws are responsible for the lower crime rates. You are so full of crap, it's oozing out of your ears!
^ Guns can be a deterrent, but they can also make you a target. I met with a guy who runs a gun range and he said that your gun can only save you if you can get to it before your threat does. If someone sneaks up behind you and gets a gun in the back of your head- the odds of your gun saving you has gone way down.
So you are both right in a way, guns make criminals wearier, but I think that will make them smarter and more cautious in when and where they pick their targets.
I concur. While having protection is a good thing I think the high number of gun sales has only a negligible affect on the crime rate at best. Most criminals don't care whether their potential victim is armed because they think like the old west outlaws; they're working with the element of surprise, and if the other guy tries to go for his gun they'll try to outdraw him.
BTW all federal agencies have armed officers to enforce their laws.
@Shandril
Total BS on your analysis. I've had to draw and and engage assaillants on several occassions (fortunately never having to fire a shot). You have obviously never had ANY firearms training whatsoever or been involved in a real life incident described in your scenario. You really need to study criminal behavior more before making such assinine assumptions.
@Michael
While you are correct that criminals don't care if you are armed or not, what they ARE afraid of is the armed person who is resolute and willing to pull the trigger to defend themselves. Criminals are very good at character judging and they will deliberately chose victims who will not resist while avoiding like the plague someone who they feel will fight back (those are the types of people whow are typically armed).
Immigrants may be less likely to REPORT violent crimes, which are more likely to be committed by their fellow immigrants. Didn't you guys see The Godfather?
I love that a 35 year old fictional movie is the basis for your claim, particularly your second one.
You have to know that the crime rate going up and down is more a matter of dumb luck than anything else. Until the police force can predict the future we will have no control over these things. Unfortunately, people who live in towns of 10,000 or 20,000 are paranoid about gun control, and they throw their support with the NRA who don't give a rat's behind about the cities. It is time to empower the cities. It is time to give them the support they need to keep the cities safe and clean. Unfortunately most large cities are heavily populated with people who think that it is someone else' business to make those decisions. I think it is time to give support to those grandmothers raising children in a difficult climate. They need someone who they can turn to and know that someone has the strength and the power and the desire to do the right thing. But they don't need a stormtrooper, they need a hero. And guess what? We have a surplus of heroes hitting our shores these days. Just a short time ago there were 100,000 soldiers in Iraq. They ain't there no more. They are here. Let's put them to good use. Build a new kind of security force, say a force with experience with different cultures and traditions, many who speak a whole different language. If you could take the mentality of the Peace Corps and mix it with the strength and respect that comes from our military personnel and vets and that is what can save the cities and the good people who live in them. We have the technology to come into a foreign area and make it safe and we have the folks who know how to use the stuff. Many of our vets can make a career of making a neighborhood or several neighborhoods safe. Our schools would instantly improve, if only they could be places where kids can live in a climate without constant fear. It's way past time to get tough with the tough guys. We have the tools, we have the talent, now if we only had the will and the leadership. Raise up the cities or they will end up razing the rest of you.
hit the like button on accident.
old fool is right...let me get this straight-you wanna turn the military on the people? they have been trained to kill-not coddle and nurture or help, fcol!.
bring them home! give them psyche care for the damages the atrocity of unjustified war that has been committed on them and possibly, by them-then retrain to help people w/o a gun or a bomb...and maybe u'd have something-maybe.- ken's wife
The crime rates among illegal immigrants is not lower than other demographic groups; it is just that they do not report the crimes, since reporting them would either a) get them killed by their fellow gang members or b) get them deported when the cops discover their illegal immigration status.
I have never met an illegal immigrant whose family and friends were not involved in gang-related activities in one form or another, even if they themselves were not active members-- and yeah, I have met a lot of them. I live in Arizona!
But I live in south Texas (San Antonio) and know of several illegals who have no ties to gangs or criminal activities, so it's hard to make generalizations based only on the people you know. And I'll admit that goes for me too.
Shandril: That says more about who you choose to hang out with...
@shandril
You are the living embodiment of "you can't fix stupid"
Anyone in the FBI looked at the news coming out of Chicago lately?
They need to send in Eric Holder so he can supply the gangs with more guns. Oh wait, that trick doesn't work.
There are a LOT of factors I wonder about.
1.) Welfare during the downturn. Most people agree that the amount of long term ans well as short term social help people get has been the most it's ever been in our history. Most people who lost their jobs could get unemployment for 99 weeks. When you can stave off desperation, people are going to be less likely to turn to crime to try and survive.
2.) Record breaking amounts of jail time. We do hear a lot about dangerous criminals getting out of jail early, however now more than ever we lock up criminals for more and for longer. We keep them off the streets longer than we used to.
3.) Rehabilitation programs. Whether it's faith based, private, public, or psychological help- I do believe that rehab programs, half way houses and churches help can get former criminals away from their old life and old community and into a better one.
4.) Simply smarter criminals. Crime doesn't pay, unless you get caught. Why risk mugging someone or robbing a house when you can hack their computer for stealing credit card numbers or SSNs. The FBI has yet to show identity theft and fraud statistics along with the classic crimes. In my area the amount of fraud, internal business theft and identity theft is still growing. And because it's a growing crime field, the sentences for getting caught for such crimes is much more lenient than burglary or mugging. Home invasions that target people with large amounts of valuable items, like a huge gun collection are more likely than just a random burglary that tries to get your xbox 360.
5.) Accessibility of Drugs. Addicts often turn to crime to feed their addiction. The drug war has seen wins and losses, however the flow of cheap drugs from Mexico along with the constant creation of designer drugs means that if a addict can get their fix easier, and for cheaper, they could in theory cause less trouble. In my country the DEA agent talked about drug trends, and as soon as they seized and controlled one kind of drug, another immediately took over.
Oh and I forgot:
6.) Increased chances of surviving a violent confrontation that could have otherwise been counted as a homicide: Medical advances in the past few decades means that better ER Medical responses will mean less deaths (counted in the homicide category). However that wouldn't mean that there are less violent confrontations, there could be more, it just means that they are more likely to live.
There are several interesting studies about the elimination of Lead in gasoline, and therefore in the air, and in childrens brains and crime rates.
Apperently, crimes rates dropped first in areas that restricted leaded gasoline first.
Like a few others said the fact of more cwp permits and stand your ground laws are making some difference. I think cell phones with cameras are making an impact as well.. Marlin 101217 said give credit where it is due? Iit is the ELECTION of Obama and NOT of what he has done. There, credit given.
Some of you Wannabe Cowboys at the OK-Corral crack me up. I am just SURE that gang members armed with guns are saying, "Don't try to rob nobody, foo! They can all carry guns now, foo! You just never know who's packing, foo!" LMAO
Here in Arizona, gang members will take your wallet AND your gun if you're carrying one. You can't whip out your six-shooter and gun 'em down like a Clint Eastwood movie hero when three hardcore gang-bangers are pointing their guns at you. So please quit telling us how concealed weapons permits are the reason crime rates are falling. It's a spurious correlation.
Since you're a lily-white emo, the use of Ebonics references in your comment underscores the racism inherent in your state of Arizona. Why don't you put a confederate flag in your window and show your neighbors your true colors?
Shandril, if you think like you talk then how can you expect to be taken seriously?
As a black male I don't think Shandril's trying to be racist. I can tell you that's how a lot of gangbangers talk. And she's right about the mentality of criminals. They don't care if their victims could be armed because they're not thinking about their personal safety (if they were, they wouldn't turn to crime in the first place), and think they have the element of surprise and can shoot their way out of a confrontation like an Old West outlaw.
@Shandril
Please go away now. You know not of what you speak. Go back to the basement and fire up the Wii and let the grownups talk.
I am glad that they revealed this truth, because if you went by the mass hysteria that the media has been feeding for the last few weeks, you'd think crime rates were through the roof. It never ceases to amaze me how people buy into everything they see on tv or read on the internet, instead of using their own critical thinking and research skills to see what is really going on. Think for yourselves people, and pause before you spew half truths and represent opinions as facts.
If you don't believe what you read on the internet why are you even here? Have you finally gotten bored of the Bible?
"using their own critical thinking and research skills to see what is really going on"
and where would you be doing this research? Internet or TV? Because a history book isn't very good for keeping yourself up to date on current world events.
No mention of history books or bibles. This just reveals your biases and bigotry. As for research, your own twisted world view has spawned an unstated conclusion. Perhaps just making it up as you go is insurmountable but you should really give it a try.