Violent crimes decrease nationally, statewide

Nationwide, violent crimes decreased by 5.3 percent and property crimes fell by 4.6 percent compared to 2008.

According to the report, 429.4 violent crimes and 3,036 property crimes were reported for every 100,000 inhabitants. In Georgia, the GBI reports a total of 410.6 violent crimes and 3,557 property crimes for every 100,000 residents – a decrease of 13 percent and 8.5 percent respectively from 2008.

The data in the FBI report was compiled using offense and arrest data submitted by law enforcement agencies who participate in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program.

The UCR Program collects information on crimes reported by law enforcement agencies regarding the violent crimes of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, as well as the property crimes of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The program also collects arrest data for the offenses listed above plus 21 additional offenses that include all other crimes except traffic violations.

In 2009, 17,985 city, county, university and college, state, tribal and federal agencies representing over 96 percent of the nation’s population participated in the UCR Program.

Nationwide in 2009, an estimated 1.3 million violent crimes and 9.3 million property crimes were reported. The 2009 arrest rate for violent crimes was 191.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. For property crime, the rate was 571.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. In total, agencies nationwide made 13.7 million arrests in 2009 excluding traffic violations.