Understanding U.S. crime: 5 key facts
If you’re wondering about the state of crime in America, it is very important to look at the facts and figures. They tell a very different story than what you may see on the news or on social media. Here are five key facts to start with:
1. Geography matters. Looking at total statistics for the country can be deceiving about what’s happening on a more localized level. For example, Alaska had 600 violent crimes for every 100,000 people living in the state in 2016, while Maine had fewer than 200.
2. Rates matter. Looking at totals can also be deceptive because areas with more people see more crime. For instance, many people think the murder rate in Chicago is out of control because it gets a lot of press. However, the rate in St. Louis is twice as high.
3. Violent crime rates have fallen overall. Despite the way people talk about the “good old days” as being safer, the reality is that violent crime hit a high in the 1990s and has been falling since then.
4. Police never solve most crimes. In 2016, they only solved about 18 percent of property crimes and 46 percent of violent crimes. Most cases just lead to dead ends.
5. Public perception is often wrong. As noted above, crime rates have been falling dramatically. However, in most surveys given to Americans to ask their opinions, they say that crime rates have increased.
Have you been accused of a crime? If so, it is important for you to understand exactly how the court process works and what legal rights you have.
Search for:
Recent Posts
- Motivations behind false domestic violence claims
- Can DUI charges follow you out of state?
- How to protect your mental health if accused of a crime
- Driving and drugs: What you need to know
- Can you get fired for off-duty marijuana use?
Archives
ArchivesSelect Month May 2022 (3) April 2022 (3) March 2022 (3) February 2022 (3) January 2022 (3) December 2021 (4) November 2021 (2) October 2021 (4) September 2021 (3) August 2021 (3) July 2021 (4) June 2021 (6) May 2021 (1) April 2021 (3) March 2021 (4) February 2021 (3) January 2021 (3) December 2020 (3) November 2020 (3) October 2020 (2) September 2020 (4) August 2020 (3) July 2020 (4) June 2020 (2) May 2020 (3) April 2020 (3) March 2020 (5) February 2020 (3) January 2020 (4) December 2019 (4) November 2019 (2) October 2019 (5) September 2019 (1) August 2019 (3) July 2019 (3) June 2019 (4) May 2019 (7) April 2019 (7) March 2019 (7) February 2019 (5) January 2019 (8) December 2018 (6) November 2018 (6) October 2018 (7) September 2018 (6) August 2018 (7) July 2018 (7) June 2018 (7) May 2018 (6) April 2018 (7) March 2018 (5) February 2018 (1) January 2018 (2) December 2017 (1) November 2017 (2) October 2017 (1) September 2017 (2) July 2017 (3) May 2017 (3) April 2017 (1) March 2017 (1) February 2017 (2) January 2017 (1) December 2016 (2) November 2016 (3) August 2016 (3) July 2016 (4) June 2016 (5) May 2016 (4) April 2016 (5) March 2016 (4) February 2016 (4) January 2016 (4) December 2015 (4) November 2015 (5) October 2015 (4) September 2015 (5) August 2015 (4) July 2015 (4) June 2015 (5) May 2015 (4) April 2015 (5) March 2015 (4) February 2015 (4) January 2015 (4) December 2014 (5) November 2014 (5) October 2014 (4) September 2014 (5) August 2014 (3) July 2014 (5) June 2014 (4) May 2014 (4) April 2014 (5) March 2014 (4) February 2014 (4) January 2014 (5) December 2013 (4) November 2013 (5) October 2013 (3) September 2013 (4) August 2013 (4) July 2013 (5) June 2013 (4) May 2013 (4) April 2013 (5) March 2013 (4) February 2013 (4) January 2013 (5) December 2012 (5) November 2012 (2)
