Current:Home > StocksFBI data show sharp drop in violent crime but steepness is questioned -NextWave Wealth Hub
FBI data show sharp drop in violent crime but steepness is questioned
View
Date:2025-04-14 04:41:00
The Biden administration is taking credit for a sharp drop in violent crime nationwide earlier this year but one expert cautions that the declines in FBI data are preliminary and likely overstated.
The data show steep drops in every category of violent crime in every region in the first three months of 2024 compared to a year earlier, continuing a downward trend since a coronavirus pandemic surge.
Murder and rape were both down 26%, robbery was down 18%, and aggravated assault fell by 13% in the first quarter. Overall violent crime was down 15%, reflecting drops in every region, from 10% in the West to 19% in the Midwest, according to the FBI data released Monday.
Property crime meanwhile decreased by 15%, according to the data trumpeted by President Joe Biden in a statement.
“My administration is putting more cops on the beat, holding violent criminals accountable and getting illegal guns off the street — and we are doing it in partnership with communities. As a result, Americans are safer today than when I took office,” Biden said.
The declines were consistent with previous reports showing improvement since crime surged during the coronavirus pandemic. But a crime data analyst was skeptical the latest declines were quite so steep.
Violent crime almost certainly did fall earlier this year but the FBI almost certainly overstated by how much, Jeff Asher with the data consulting firm AH Datalytics wrote in an online post.
The preliminary data for 77% of the U.S. population is prone to reporting errors, which law enforcement agencies have months to correct before making final submissions, Asher noted.
The declining trend is likely correct but other data show different rates of declining violent crime by city and even a slight increase in violent crime in New York in the first three months of 2024, Asher wrote.
“I would urge strong caution into reading too much into the raw percent changes and focus on the overarching picture. Almost all crime data is imperfect and the quarterly data adds an important imperfect piece to the national crime trend jigsaw puzzle,” Asher wrote.
In 2020, homicides surged 29% for the biggest one-year jump in FBI records. Experts suggested the massive disruption of the pandemic, gun violence, worries about the economy and intense stress were to blame.
Violent crime fell back to near pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and dropped further in 2023.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- 2nd suspect arrested in triple homicide case at a Phoenix-area apartment, police say
- Halle Berry Goes Topless in Risqué Photo With Kittens for Catwoman's 20th Anniversary
- Phoenix man sentenced to life in prison without parole after killing his parents and younger brother
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- New evidence means freedom for a Michigan man who spent 37 years in prison for a murder conviction
- John Mayall, Godfather of British Blues, dies at 90 amid 'health issues'
- Astronomers detect rare, huge 'super-Jupiter' planet with James Webb telescope
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- How Tori Spelling Feels About Her Last Conversation With Shannen Doherty
Ranking
- Sam Taylor
- Patrick Mahomes Reveals Travis Kelce's Ringtone—and It's Not What You'd Expect
- Kentucky clerk who opposed gay marriage appeals ruling over attorney fees
- Boston Red Sox sign manager Alex Cora to three-year extension
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- How Tori Spelling Feels About Her Last Conversation With Shannen Doherty
- Los Angeles Zoo sets record with 17 California condor chicks hatched in 2024
- Review: 'Time Bandits' reboot with Lisa Kudrow is full of tired jokes
Recommendation
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Kate Spade Outlet Just Marked an Extra 20% Off 400+ Styles: $79 Backpack, $39 Wallet & More Up to 75% Off
Pregnant Hailey Bieber Confirms Husband Justin Bieber Gifted Her Stunning New Ring
Idaho crash leaves 2 injured on final day of 'No Speed limit' driving event
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Matthew Macfadyen felt 'miscast' as Mr. Darcy in 'Pride & Prejudice': 'I'm not dishy enough'
Whale capsizes boat off Portsmouth, New Hampshire in incredible video recorded by teen
FBI searches home of former aide to New York Gov Kathy Hochul