U.S. murder rate drops over 50 percent in last 30 years

[News_Editor]

U.S. murder rate drops over 50 percent in last 30 years

2011-09-23 10:23:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The murder arrest rate in the U.S. dropped more than 50 percent in the last 30 years, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) revealed on Thursday.

According to a BJS report released on Thursday, called 'Arrests in the United States, 1980 – 2009,' the nation's murder arrest rate in 1980 was 8.8 arrests per 100,000 U.S. residents, but the 2009 figures showed a significant drop to 4.0 per 100,000.

The report also showed that arrest rates for forcible rape, robbery, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and weapon law violations also decreased significantly over the 30-year period, while the arrest rates for aggravated assault, simple assault and drug abuse violations increased.

Over the 30-year period, the adult arrest rate for murder declined gradually, dropping 57 percent, while the juvenile murder arrest rate was more volatile, as its murder spiked by 162 percent between 1984 and 1993. However, it then fell so that by 2009 the rate (1.6 per 100,000) was 44 percent below its 1980 level (2.8 per 100,000).

BJS developed these national estimates of arrests and arrest trends using data collected by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The data also showed that murder arrest rates varied widely among racial groups.

Over the 30-year period, the black arrest rate for murder averaged seven times the white rate. Meanwhile, the American Indian/Alaskan Native rate averaged twice the white rate, while the Asian/Pacific Islander rate averaged half the white rate.

Furthermore, the forcible rape arrest rate declined 70 percent for blacks and 31 percent for whites from 1980 to 2009. There was a significant decline in the forcible rape arrest rate for both black adults (from 70.8 to 19.7 per 100,000) and for black juveniles (26.6 to 8.7 per 100,000).

However, the decline in the arrest rate for forcible rape was more pronounced for white adults (from 9.9 to 6.4 per 100,000) than for white juveniles (from 3.8 to 3.5 per 100,000).

Among the increasing rates during the 30-year- period was the female arrest rates for several offenses, such as aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.

In 2009, females were involved in 22 percent of arrests for aggravated assault, a 12 percent increase compared to that in 1980. In addition, female arrests for robbery grew to 12 percent in 2009, up from seven percent in 1980.

Over the 30-year period, arrest rates for drug violations changed more dramatically for blacks than for whites. Arrest rates for drug possession or use doubled for whites and tripled for blacks.

The black arrest rate for drug possession or use (1,040 per 100,000) ended the period at three times the white arrest rate (367 per 100,000). Also, between 1980 and 2009, the arrest rate for drug sale or manufacture also increased substantially for both whites (66 percent) and blacks (90 percent). The black arrest rate for drug sale or manufacture ended the period in 2009 (312 per 100,000) at about four times the white rate (72 per 100,000).

BJS expands upon the estimates of total arrests published by the FBI in its Crime in the U.S. series to provide separate estimates of arrests by sex, age, and race. This detailed breakdown of arrests and arrest trends describes the flow of individuals into the criminal justice system over a long time period.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-23

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

The arrest rate may have dropped but did the murder rate also drop? Or are they just catching fewer of the culprits? But knowing the government they will show whatever makes them look best.

[mpoppel]

The arrest rate may have dropped but did the murder rate also drop? Or are they just catching fewer of the culprits? But knowing the government they will show whatever makes them look best.

What I was thinking exactly..

[TigerWan]

That's another benefit of legalizing abortion, lower sex assault crime rates result from less screwed up kids being raised by incompetent parents.

( Abortion became a woman's mandated choice in 1973 was it? Google Stephen Levitt for more in depth stats supporting this theory )

Furthermore, the forcible rape arrest rate declined 70 percent for blacks and 31 percent for whites from 1980 to 2009. There was a significant decline in the forcible rape arrest rate for both black adults (from 70.8 to 19.7 per 100,000) and for black juveniles (26.6 to 8.7 per 100,000).

However, the decline in the arrest rate for forcible rape was more pronounced for white adults (from 9.9 to 6.4 per 100,000) than for white juveniles (from 3.8 to 3.5 per 100,000).

OR

They just have locked all the criminals up.

[Credo]

For those that question the authenticity of the statistics, just what government would benefit by being less than honest? It spans a period that includes a deceased president and presidents from both major parties.

[chuckd]

Murder rates per 100,000 in the US from 1950-2007.

1950 4.6

1951 4.4

1952 4.6

1953 4.5

1954 4.2

1955 4.1

1956 4.1

1957 4.0

1958 4.8

1959 4.9

1960 5.1

1961 4.8

1962 4.6

1963 4.6

1964 4.9

1965 5.1

1966 5.6

1967 6.2

1968 6.9

1969 7.3

1970 7.9

1971 8.6

1972 9.0

1973 9.4

1974 9.8

1975 9.6

1976 8.8

1977 8.8

1978 9.0

1979 9.7

1980 10.2

1981 9.8

1982 9.1

1983 8.3

1984 7.9

1985 7.9

1986 8.6

1987 8.3

1988 8.4

1989 8.7

1990 9.4

1991 9.8

1992 9.3

1993 9.5

1994 9.0

1995 8.2

1996 7.4

1997 6.8

1998 6.3

1999 5.7

2000 5.5

2001 5.6

2002 5.6

2003 5.7

2004 5.5

2005 5.9

2006 6.1

2007 5.9

Source: Crime in the United States, 2008, FBI, Uniform Crime Reports.

Read more: Homicide Rate (per 100,000), 1950–2007 — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0873729.html#ixzz1Yl7T0vSG

[geriatrickid]

The data reflects population demographics. Aging population = less crime, since older folks are less likely to be violent offenders.

Note the rate surge in the above as the baby boomers hit the difficult years.

From a musical perspective, I conclude that the hippy dippy and disco music period was associated with peak crime periods, I always knew that those people were evil.

[TAWP]

dam_n videogames!

[Chris Lawrence]

Well you can't beat a good hanging; one would hope the executions will continue? Sadistic bastdes.

The other great policy is the 3 strike rule? I would suggest they now find a country where they can transport these convicts for stealing a loaf of bread.

I wonder what has worked to cause this fall?

[rodentwarrior]

As has already been alluded to with the mention of Steven D. Levitt. The answer lies in chapter 4 of "Freakonomics"

Essentially, due to legal abortion, women have the kids they want/can afford/don't resent, and are generally more settled and ready to be better parents.

It's more complex than just that of course, but try the book, I think there is a huge amount of good sense in it (unlike some other places I read opinions).

[rogerdee123]

Maybe it's simply better medical care .

According to the report, assaults are increasing.

[chuckd]

Well you can't beat a good hanging; one would hope the executions will continue? Sadistic bastdes.

The other great policy is the 3 strike rule? I would suggest they now find a country where they can transport these convicts for stealing a loaf of bread.

I wonder what has worked to cause this fall?

One school of thought is the concealed permit and open carry gun permits allowing the citizens to be armed.

I imagine a bank robber might think twice about entering a bank when there might be five or six people inside the bank packing heat and willing to shoot him.

Edited September 26, 2011 by chuckd

[johna]

Maybe it's simply better medical care .

According to the report, assaults are increasing.

I agree,

approx 1500 people were murdered every year in the UK between the 1950's and the 1970's

Getting stabbed in the stomach in 1950 might result in death but by 1980 that was no longer the case.