U.S. Violent Crime Drops in 2023: FBI Report Shows Continued Decline

Violent Crime in the U.S. Drops in 2023, FBI Statistics Show

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a positive turn of events, violent crime in the U.S. has dropped in 2023, according to recent FBI statistics. The data reveals a continued downward trend following a spike in crime during the coronavirus pandemic.

Overall, violent crime decreased by an estimated 3% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with murders and non-negligent manslaughter dropping by nearly 12%. This decline comes as a relief to many, especially as violent crime has become a focal point in the 2024 presidential race.

Former President Donald Trump recently claimed that crime is “through the roof” under President Joe Biden’s administration. However, experts point out that even with the surge in crime during the pandemic in 2020, violent crime rates are significantly lower than they were in the 1990s.

The FBI’s report highlights the impact of the pandemic on crime rates, with homicides increasing by nearly 30% in 2020, the largest one-year jump on record. However, the data shows that violent crime levels have now returned to near pre-pandemic levels, with a gradual decrease observed in 2022 and 2023.

Law enforcement agencies in major cities saw the most significant drop in violent crime, while smaller communities experienced mixed results. Rapes decreased by over 9%, aggravated assault decreased by nearly 3%, and overall property crime decreased by more than 2%. However, motor vehicle theft saw a sharp increase of nearly 13%, reaching the highest rate since 2007.

It’s important to note that the FBI’s data is based on information from a majority of law enforcement agencies in the U.S., but not all agencies participate in the reporting. Despite some limitations, the report aligns with findings from other sources, such as the Council on Criminal Justice, which also indicates a decrease in violent crimes compared to previous years.

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, discussions around crime rates are likely to continue. While different reports may offer varying perspectives, the overall trend of declining violent crime in the U.S. is a positive development worth noting.