For the third consecutive year, the FBI shows a decrease in the crime rate across the country. In 2019, the most violent crimes decreased by 0.5% from 2018 numbers and the property crimes decreased by 4.1% marking it the 17th year for the decrease.
In the report by the Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen said “For the last three years the Department of Justice has worked tirelessly with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to pursue those violent criminals, cartels, and gangs who seek to harm our communities.” He also added, “We are steadfast in our commitment to protect the public safety of citizens and communities across the United States through violent crime initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Guardian and, most recently, Operation Legend. Violent crime rates had been increasing during 2015-2016, so I am proud of the hard work by all prosecutors and law enforcement agents across the nation who have reduced violent crime rates during each of the last three years. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts to protect the American public from the violence of criminals.”
Project Safe Neighbourhoods is an initiative by the Department of Justice to reduce gun violence. It typically involves United State attorneys who work together with local enforcement parties to implement initiatives like Gang Crime Investigation and Suppression, Prevention and Education, Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.), and Data Sharing and Gathering. This program is almost similar to Project Guardian.
According to the report the past year, a total of 16,554 law enforcement agencies reported Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data to the FBI. In 2019, there were an estimated 1,203,808 violent crimes and an estimated violent crime rate of 366.7 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. An article by the security magazine pointed out that nationwide, there were an estimated 6,925,677 property crimes. The estimated numbers for all three property crimes showed declines when compared with the previous year’s estimates. Burglaries dropped 9.5%, larceny-thefts decreased 2.8%, and motor vehicle thefts were down 4.0%. It also stated that the FBI estimated law enforcement agencies nationwide made 10.1 million arrests, (excluding those for traffic violations) in 2019.
It’s funny because with COVID – 19 alone and the lack of immediate need for law enforcement to be around because certain things are still shut down I would think people think they could get away with a lot more. At the same time in a pandemic I think people would want to keep to themselves and not put theirselves at risk of COVID first and violent crimes right after. It’s good to know our world is getting better with much more improvement to go. Thanks for this article Akansha! Always super informative.