FBI sees downward crime trend; murders fewest in 30 years

Dec 1, 1998 12:00 PM, George Partington

Serious crime, which includes violent and property crime, is down for the sixth year in a row, the FBI said Nov. 22. Final FBI figures for 1997 showed the murder rate in the United States at its lowest level in 30 years - 18,209, a 7 percent plunge from 1996. Overall, the 13.2 million serious crimes reported were 2 percent fewer than 1996 and 7 percent fewer than four years ago.Violent crime dropped 3 percent from the previous year to its lowest level since 1987. Violent crime includes robbery, down 7.8 percent; aggravated assault, down 2.3 percent; and rape, down 1.1 percent.The relatively large decline in the number of murders was a highlight of the FBI report. The rate of 6.8 murders per 100,000 residents was the lowest since the 1967 rate of 6.2.Property crime declined 3.1 percent, including drops of 3.8 percent for auto theft; 3.1 percent for larceny-theft; and 2.7 percent for burglary.The report is good news for the average American and for the business community, but few see it as a reason to let their guard down. "We still don't even have a majority of Americans who say there's less crime now than a year ago," said Gallup Poll editor-in-chief Frank Newport in a USA Today article. Forty-eight percent say there is less crime in their neighborhoods than last year, according to a USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll.Yellow Corp. director of security George Rodriguez concedes a general crime decrease, but not at his job. "In my work experience, I see it (crime) increasing," he says. "I think we have to look at the vast number of criminal acts that are still occurring in all segments, from violent crime to crimes against property."Rodriguez, who worked in law enforcement for 30 years before joining the Overland Park, Kan.-based trucking company, says the drop in crime is significant, "but it does not put us in a position where we should relax."Rodriguez contends commercial security efforts have contributed to the drop in crime. "There is no question that the things we do in private security have reduced the number of incidents," he notes. He also credits the preventive efforts of law enforcement and the strong economy.

More statistics from the report- Law enforcement agencies made an estimated 15.3 million arrests for all criminal infractions, excluding traffic violations, in 1997, an increase of 1 percent over the previous year, the FBI noted. - Drug abuse violations garnered the highest arrest count, with 1.6 million; larceny-theft (shoplifting, theft from buildings and motor vehicles, purse-snatching) and driving under the influence each recorded 1.5 million arrests.- Larceny-theft offenses numbered 7.7 million, 67 percent of the property crime total for the year.- Of the estimated 2.4 million burglaries in 1997, two thirds were residential.

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