Crime and criminals are always feared and looked down by people everywhere. Everyone wants to live in a peaceful environment, where they don’t need home security systems to feel Safe and secure. A place where there is only love and calm. Well that place is still a mirage as far as is US is concerned. Yet when we look at the overall crime rates in US we can be pretty much happy to see that crime has indeed lowered and is on a downward spiral. So here we are presenting few facts on crime in US in recent times.
Deep Decline In Violent Crimes:
The 90’s were the most violent in terms of crimes in US. After that there was a very steep decline in crimes in American soil. In fact according to FBI the violent crimes fell by nearly 50% in between 1993 to 2017 and the trend is still continuing. This report is a consolidation of crime reports form approximately 18000 cities across the country. There was also a survey conducted by Bureau of justice Statistics (BJS) which conducted a survey of populace aged between ages twelve and above. This survey was done annually, asking them whether they have experienced or were victims of criminal activities, whether or not they have reported the same. The result of this survey from 1993 to 2017 show a decline of staggering 74% during this time.
Although exceptions were noted during this time also, wherein there was a slight increase in crimes in the year 2004 and 2006 and in 2014 to 2016. There is also an amazing fact that the sale of home security devices like home security cameras, carbon monoxide detector, kids GPS tracker and nanny cams has also increased during this period, whether this has contributed to the decline is not yet established.
Decline in Property Crimes In US:
It is known fact that if the violent crime rate falls, there is also a decline in property crimes. So proving that fact right the property crimes have also seen a steep decline of 50% between the time frame of 1993-2017, according to FBI report and according to Bureau of justice Statistics (BJS) decline of nearly 70%. Theft, burglary, motor crime and break-ins are considered property crimes. As stated in the previous paragraph this can also be contributed vaguely to the usage of home security devices at homes.
Crime Rates In Different Geographical Locations Vary Drastically:
According to the FBI data there is a very large variation in crime rates from state to state. Most recent examples available are of 2017, which shows that in cities like Alaska, New Mexico and Tennessee the crime rate is at 600 per 100,000 residents. While cities like Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont has 200 crimes that were violent in the same time period or these are relatively much safer cities in the US. Chicago (24.1 per 100,000) is often taken as a model city for murder but you would be surprised to know that cities like St Louis (66.1 per 100,000) and Baltimore (55.8 per 100,000) have double the murder rates than Chicago.
Crimes Don’t Get Reported And Reported Crimes Don’t Get Solved:
Crimes can be brought at a much lower percentage if the proper reporting of the crime is done. But the data from the research done by the BJS states that in 2017 only 45% of the total violent crimes and 36% in property crimes committed were actually reported to the police. There can be many reasons because of which people refuse to lodge a complaint with the police and some of them are:
- Lack of trust in Police Department
- Fear of the criminal
- Economic status
- Drug Addiction
- Fear of legal proceeding
- Lack of evidence or lack of home security camera footage in property crimes
The other gruesome and worrying part to this story is that even if the crime is reported the percentage of crime being solved or conviction is low at 46%. This rate is even more pathetic in property crimes, due to lack of proper evidence at only 18%. So it is always better to keep yourself well protected with best home security and safety devices at least against property crimes.
Be safe, be secure.
