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The FBI recently released its 2019 edition of Crime in the United States.
By Forum Staff
For the third consecutive year, the estimated number of violent crimes in the nation decreased when compared with the previous year’s statistics, according to recently released Federal Bureau of Investigation 2019 figures.
Last year, violent crime was down 0.5 percent from the 2018 number. Property crimes also dropped 4.1 percent, bureau officials noted, marking the 17th consecutive year the collective estimates for these offenses declined.
According to the FBI, the 2019 statistics show the estimated rate of violent crime was 366.7 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, and the estimated rate of property crime was 2,109.9 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. The violent crime rate fell 1 percent when compared with the 2018 rate; the property crime rate declined 4.5 percent.
Of the 18,667 federal, state, county, city, university and college, and tribal agencies eligible to participate in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 16,554 agencies submitted data in 2019.
Here is an FBI summary of the statistics submitted, as well as estimates for those agencies that did not report:
- In 2019, there were an estimated 1,203,808 total violent crimes. When compared with the estimates from 2018, the estimated number of robbery offenses fell 4.7 percent and the estimated volume of rape (revised definition) offenses decreased 2.7 percent. The estimated number of aggravated assault offenses rose 1.3 percent, and the volume of murder and non-negligent manslaughter offenses increased slightly by 0.3 percent.
- Nationwide, there were an estimated 6,925,677 property crimes. The estimated numbers for all three property crimes showed declines when compared with the previous year’s estimates. Burglaries dropped 9.5 percent, larceny-thefts decreased 2.8 percent, and motor vehicle thefts were down 4 percent.
- Collectively, victims of property crimes (excluding arson) suffered losses estimated at $15.8 billion in 2019.
- The FBI estimated law enforcement agencies nationwide made 10.1 million arrests, (excluding those for traffic violations) in 2019.
- The arrest rate for violent crime was 156.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the arrest rate for property crime was 343.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- By violent crime offense, the arrest rate for murder and non-negligent manslaughter was 3.4 per 100,000 inhabitants; rape (aggregate total using the revised and legacy definition), 7.4; robbery, 24.7; and aggravated assault, 120.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Of the property crime offenses, the arrest rate for burglary was 52.3 per 100,000 inhabitants; larceny-theft, 263; and motor vehicle theft, 25.1. The arrest rate for arson was 2.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Last year, 13,247 law enforcement agencies reported their staffing levels to the FBI. These agencies reported that, as of Oct. 31, 2019, they collectively employed 697,195 sworn officers and 306,075 civilians—a rate of 3.5 employees per 1,000 inhabitants.
“I am encouraged by the great work being done by law enforcement to combat violent crime across the nation,” said FBI Deputy Director Dave Bowdich. “The FBI continues to make clear that violence will not be tolerated, and we are committed to continuing our work with state, local, and tribal partners across the country to confront and deter violence, dismantle criminal organizations and gangs, eradicate drug trafficking, and bring justice to victims.”
