Thinking About Corrections : Crime rates

2008 National Criminal Victimization Survey

CC Pro — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:54:00 GMT

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reports violent and property crime rates in 2008 were at or near their lowest levels in over three decades. Violent crimes are categorized as rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. "Property crimes include household burglary, motor vehicle theft, and theft." Personal theft, including pocket picking and purse snatching are also included. The data is in concurrence with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) which also notes the continual downward trend in criminal activities over the same time period.

Understanding Crime Trends

Eileen Conway — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Citing the lack of "timely information and comprehensive research on crime trends," the National Research Council has proposed a multiyear study that was launched with a two-day workshop "to address in a preliminary way key substantive and methodological issues underlying the study of crime trends..." Papers commissioned for the workshop have been brought together in a new volume, "Understanding Crime Trends: Workshop Report," a prepublication version of which has been posted by the National Academies Press (access to the free report requires a quick sign in process). The papers address topics such as "Factors Contributing to U.S. Crime Trends," and "Gender and Violence in the United States: Trends in Offending and Victimization."

FBI Publishes 2007 Hate Crime Statistics

CC Pro — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:34:00 GMT

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued the most recent statistics on bias-motivated crime. This report covers: Incidents and Offenses, Victims, Offenders, and Location Types. Some of the key data are as follows:

VICTIMS

52 percent were targeted because of their race
17.1 percent were targeted because of their religious belief
15.9 were targeted because of their sexual orientation
14.1 were targeted because of ethnicity/nation origin

OFFENSES

Of crimes against persons, nine people were murdered and two were raped
Intimidation accounted for 47.4 percent of crimes against persons
Simple assaults accounted for 31.1 percent
Aggravated assaults accounted for 20.6 percent

FBI Reports "The Big Picture Is Clear: Crime Is Down"

Eileen Conway — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:11:00 GMT

In releasing its latest statistical report on Crime in the United States today, the FBI notes that "Among the many numbers for 2007, the big picture is clear: crime is down." They further note that "Nationwide, violent crime fell for the first time since 2005. Property crime declined for the fifth straight year. And each of the seven specific offense categories—from aggravated assault to murder—was down from 2006." The complete report and highlights are available here.

Crime and Incarceration, the Midyear/Preliminary Reports

Eileen Conway — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:32:00 GMT

It's that time, when preliminary/midyear data are released by the FBI and the Bureau of Justice Statistics regarding crime rates and incarceration for 2007. In its preliminary crime rate report, the FBI finds:

"Preliminary figures indicate that, as a whole, law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation reported a decrease of 1.4 percent in the number of violent crimes brought to their attention in 2007 when compared with figures reported for 2006. The violent crime category includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The number of property crimes in the United States from January to December of 2007 decreased 2.1 percent when compared with data from the same time period in 2006. Property crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Arson is also a property crime, but data for arson are not included in property crime totals. Figures for 2007 indicate that arson decreased 7.0 percent in 2007 when compared to 2006 figures."

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Justice Statistics has released its midyear incarceration reports for both prisons and jails. The prisons report notes a decline in the rate of population increase between midyear 2006 and midyear 2007.

Are We Having An iCrime Wave? Plus, Helping Drug-Involved Juveniles

Eileen Conway — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:03:00 GMT

The Urban Institute has been busy, posting two new reports on diverse topics. With the new FBI statistics showing violent crime up in 2005 and 2006, the Institute takes an interesting look at how iPods and other portable media devices might be driving the increase, "an iCrime wave." Separately, an evaluation of the Reclaiming Futures program "that seeks to improve outcomes for drug-involved youth in the juvenile justice system" finds "positive and significant changes" in all ten participating communities.