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FBI Latest Crime Stats
Decrease in
2014 Violent Crimes, Property Crimes
09/28/15
Today, the FBI is releasing the 2014 edition of its annual report Crime
in the United States, a statistical compilation of offense, arrest, and
police employee data reported voluntarily by law enforcement agencies
that participate in the Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program.
This latest report reveals that the estimated number of violent crimes
reported by law enforcement to UCR’s Summary Reporting System during
2014 decreased 0.2 percent when compared with 2013 data. And the
estimated number of property crimes decreased 4.3 percent from 2013
levels.
Here are some highlights from Crime in the United States, 2014:
There were an estimated 1,165,383 violent crimes
(murder and non-negligent homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated
assaults) reported by law enforcement.
Aggravated assaults accounted for 63.6 percent of
the violent crimes reported, while robberies accounted for 28.0
percent, rape 7.2 percent, and murders 1.2 percent.
There were an estimated 8,277,829 property crimes
(burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts) reported by law
enforcement. Financial losses suffered by victims of these crimes were
calculated at approximately $14.3 billion.
Larceny-theft accounted for 70.8 percent of all
property crimes reported, burglary for 20.9 percent, and motor vehicle
theft for 8.3 percent
Police made an estimated 11,205,833 arrests during
2014—498,666 for violent crimes, and 1,553,980 for property crimes.
More than 73 percent of those arrested during 2014 were male.
The highest number of arrests was for drug abuse
violations (1,561,231), followed by larceny-theft (1,238,190) and
driving under the influence (1,117,852).
What’s new this year? For one, the 2014 publication includes the
inaugural Federal Crime Data report, which contains traditional UCR
data from a handful of federal agencies, as well as FBI arrest data on
human trafficking, hate crimes, and criminal computer intrusions.
Also included for the first time in Crime in the United States is UCR’s
second report of human trafficking data submitted by state and local
law enforcement.
It is expected that law enforcement participation in data collection
for both reports will expand over time, which will help provide a more
complete picture of those crimes.
Message from FBI Director. Included in the report is a message from
Director James Comey, who said that UCR plans to begin collecting data
about non-fatal shootings between law enforcement and civilians, and he
encouraged all law enforcement agencies to submit their data about
fatal shootings and justifiable homicide data, which is currently
collected. Once the FBI begins collecting the expanded data, UCR plans
to add a special publication that will focus on law enforcement’s use
of force in shooting incidents. That report will outline facts about
what happened, who was involved, whether there were injuries or deaths,
and the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
Explains Comey, “We hope this information will become part of a
balanced dialogue in communities and in the media—a dialogue that will
help to dispel misperceptions, foster accountability, and promote
transparency in how law enforcement personnel relate to the communities
they serve.”
In his message, Comey also encourages law enforcement agencies to
participate in UCR’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS),
created to improve the quantity and quality of crime data collected by
law enforcement by capturing more detailed information on each single
crime occurrence.
Recently, the International Association of Chiefs of Police—with the
Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, and
the Major County Sheriffs’ Association—released a joint position paper
supporting the adoption of the NIBRS to replace the Summary Reporting
System. The group says that the NIBRS “provides a more comprehensive
view of crime in the United States and offers greater flexibility in
data compilation and analysis.”
Looking ahead. Beginning in January 2016, data collection will begin
for the newest UCR Program initiative—animal cruelty offenses—requested
by the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Animal Welfare Institute.
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