National crime rates show significant decline

The latest FBI data on Monday, September 23, 2024, revealed a significant drop in national crime rates from 2022 to 2023, contradicting widespread public perception of a crime wave.& According to the FBI’s annual “Summary of Crime in the Nation,” violent crime fell by 3%, while property crime decreased by 2.4%.The most severe offenses saw particularly dramatic declines: murder and non-negligent manslaughter dropped by 11.6%, marking the most significant single-year decrease in two decades. Rape also declined by 9.4%. These decreases represent a clear shift as the U.S. continues to recover from the instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had previously exacerbated certain criminal activities.Property crime followed similar trends, with burglary down by 7.6%. However, motor vehicle theft surged by 12.6%, while shoplifting incidents spiked from 999,394 in 2022 to over 1.1 million in 2023 — a return to pre-pandemic levels. Experts suggest that these upticks may reflect the reopening of businesses and the return to more typical consumer behavior following the pandemic’s restrictions and security measures.While the nation as a whole is experiencing a steady decline in violent crime, the gap between reality and public perception persists. Social media, doorbell cameras, and neighborhood apps have all contributed to...