FBI reports crime down in 2007; crime expert skeptical

William Atkins
Tuesday, 10 June 2008 02:30

Science - Health

According to 2007 statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, violent crime in the United States was down by 1.4% in 2007. However, one expert warns of a specific group whose percentages could be dramatically rising.

Preliminary figures from the FBI (released on June 9. 2008) report that violent crime decreased for the first time in the United States in two years.

In 2006, it was 1.9% higher than in 2005. Violent crime in 2005 was 2.3% higher than in 2004.

Increases in violent and property crime in both 2005 and 2006 were blamed, according to criminal justice experts, on increased gang activities, youth violence, and gun crimes, along with reduced numbers of police.

The FBI report is called “Crime in the United States—Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report.” The crime statistics come from over 12,000 lU.S. aw enforcement agencies across the country.

It was also reported that property crime was down 2.1% in 2007 over the previous year’s figure. The FBI states it was the biggest drop in four years.

The West had the largest decrease—with 4.7%--in property crime. The Midwest was down 3.6% and the Northeast was down 2.9%.

The South was the only part of the country that increased with respect to property crime—with a rise of 1.1%.

However, the report doesn’t convince a Northeastern University professor of criminal justice. See what he says on the next page.