FBI Reports Drop in Violent, Property Crime in 2011

According to a new report from the FBI, the U.S. experienced a 4.0 percent decrease in the number of violent crimes and a 0.8 percent decline in the number of property crimes in 2011, compared to 2010.

Based on information that the FBI gathered from 14,009 law enforcement agencies that submitted six to 12 months of data for the two years, all four of the violent crime offense categories – murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault – declined nationwide. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter declined by 1.9 percent, which the other three declined at 4.0 percent each, a press release states.

Violent crime in cities decreased in all groups, with city populations of 50,000 to 99,999 decreasing most, with a 5.2 drop in violent crime, the release says.

However, that same city group is the only one to experience an increase in the number of forcible rapes during 2011, climbing 0.5 percent.

Cities in the 50,000 to 99,999 population range also experienced top decreases in robbery offenses (5.3 percent), aggravated assaults (5.3 percent) and murder and non-negligent manslaughter (14.4 percent).

In terms of property crime, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft decreased nationwide, with decreases of 0.9 percent and 3.3 percent respectively, the press release says.

Burglary offenses increased by 0.3 percent nationwide.

In cities with populations from 50,000 to 99,999, burglary offenses increased by 1.2 percent, the largest margin reported within the city groups.

Property crime decreased 1.4 percent in metropolitan counties but increased 2.6 percent in non-metropolitan counties, the release says.

Arson offenses, which are not included in property crime totals, the release says, decreased 5.0 percent nationwide. The Northeast region experienced the largest decrease (12.3 percent) in 2011.

For a complete report, please visit the FBI website.