An estimated 24-million violent and property crimes were committed in the United States last year, which represents the lowest level in over three decades, according to a government report.
The same survey, hailed by the Bush administration as a reward for its tough-on-crime policy, also found that only 50% of all assaults against individuals were being reported to authorities.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics listed 5,2-million violent crimes such as rape, sexual assault, robbery or assault and nearly 19-million property crimes, including burglary and various types of theft.
The statistics mean that between 1993 and 2004 the violent crime rate decreased in the country 57% — from 50 to 21 attacks for each 1 000 residents above the age of 12.
Property crime declined 50% from 319 to 161 per 1 000 households, the study indicated.
”Though the downward trend in crime rates has stabilised, violent and property crime rates in 2004 remain at the lowest levels recorded since the survey’s inception in 1973,” wrote Shannan Catalano, the lead Justice Department researcher on the project.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales attributed the low crime rates to aggressive enforcement of existing gun laws.
Federal firearms prosecutions increased by 76% between 2000 and 2004, according to justice officials.
As a result, they said, only six percent of all violent incidents in 2004 involved use of a firearm, compared to 11% in 1993. The number of incidents of violent crime involving a firearm in 2004 was 34% lower than in 2000 and 73% lower than in 1993. – Sapa-AFP