AP: “Despite recession, crime keeps falling”

by Tammy Strobel on December 23, 2009

posted in: Public Affairs

Delvin Barrett reported earlier this week that “experts are scratching their heads over why crime has ebbed so far during this recession, making it different from other economic downturns of the past half-century.”

Crimes reported to the “Uniform Crime Program are down collectively: violent crime overall decreased 4.4 percent, property crime is down 6.1 percent, and arson fell 8.2 percent.”

Declining Crime Rates 2009
Individual crimes are also decreasing across the board:

  • Murder (down 10.0 percent);
  • Forcible rape (down 3.3 percent);
  • Robbery (down 6.5 percent);
  • Aggravated assault (down 3.2 percent);
  • Burglary (down 2.5 percent);
  • Larceny-theft (down 5.3 percent); and
  • Motor vehicle theft (down 18.7 percent).

For a more in-depth analysis, download the FBI’s crime report.

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Author: Tammy Strobel (88 Articles)

I've been working for non-profits as a volunteer or paid staff member for the last 10 years. The primary focus of my work in the non-profit field has been educating the public about sexual assault. I have worked across a range of advocacy-related positions — from volunteering in direct services to coordinating media and legislation at the CALCASA.

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