FBI: Violent crime rates in the US drop, approach historic lows

[FarCenter]

Violent crime rates in the U.S. are reaching historic lows, according to new FBI data released Monday.

Instances of murder declined overall by 1.9 percent from 2010 figures, while rape, robbery and aggravated assault declined by 4 percent nationwide, according to records from more than 14,000 law-enforcement agencies around the country, FBI spokesman Bill Carter told msnbc.com.

The number of property crimes also registered a 0.8-percent drop, motor-vehicle thefts declined by 3.3 percent, and arson was down by 5 percent.

Although the findings, released in the FBI’s Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, represent a seemingly small decline in crime overall, they aren’t just a blip. Rather, criminologists say, the decline is part of larger downward trend and the result of a series of changes that have contributed to a more peaceful society.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/11/12170947-fbi-violent-crime-rates-in-the-us-drop-approach-historic-lows?lite

Why would we need more policemen?

We could also decriminalize marijuana and we would need fewer prison guards and court officers.

[Drale]

1. And yet we still have the a huge number of citizens in prison /nt

[PDJane]

2. How else do you justify slavery in a 'democratic' country?

[tblue]

3. 'Standing your ground' and murdering someone used to be a crime.

Now it's not. That would account for some of the 'lows.'

[hack89]

4. No - it has been a 30 year trend

there has been a 50 percent decrease in murder and manslaughter deaths since 1992 (height of crack epidemic). And every category of violent crime is down, not just gun crime.