AFTER 2 years of decline, the estimated number of violent crimes in the nation increased 3.9 per cent in 2015 when compared with 2014 data, according to FBI figures. Property crimes dropped 2.6 per cent, marking the 13th straight year the collective estimates for the offenses declined.
The 2015 statistics show the estimated rate of violent crime was 372.6 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, and the property crime rate was 2,487.0 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. The violent crime rate rose 3.1 per cent compared with the 2014 rate, and the property crime rate declined 3.4 per cent.
Of the 18,439 city, county, university and college, state, tribal, and federal agencies eligible to participate in the UCR Program, 16,643 submitted data in 2015.
In 2015, there were an estimated 1,197,704 violent crimes. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter increased 10.8 per cent when compared with estimates from 2014. Rape and aggravated assault increased 6.3 per cent and 4.6 per cent, respectively, while robbery increased 1.4 per cent.
Nationwide, there were an estimated 7,993,631 property crimes. The estimated numbers for 2 of the 3 property crimes show declines when compared with the previous year’s estimates. Burglaries dropped 7.8 per cent, and larceny-thefts declined 1.8 per cent, but motor vehicle thefts rose 3.1 per cent.
Collectively, victims of property crimes (excluding arson) suffered losses estimated at $14.3 billion in 2015. The FBI estimated that law enforcement agencies nationwide made 10.8 million arrests, excluding traffic violations, in 2015. ♦
