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Cause for celebration: FBI stats show crime rates dropping again

By Douglas A. Berman

This new Reuters report provides the latest, greatest encouraging statistics about crime rates: Murders and auto thefts fell sharply in the United States in 2009, extending the downward trend in violent and property crimes, according to preliminary statistics released by the FBI on Monday. It was the third straight annual decline in violent crimes and seventh straight annual decline for property crimes, which occurred despite a weak economy, which is often linked to spikes in criminal activity. Each region of the country experienced a drop in crime, with the southern United States experiencing the largest decline -- a 6.6 percent drop -- according to the FBI. It did not provide a reason for the overall decline, which came as the economy started to show signs of growth after one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on May 24, 2010 (boomark / email).