Crime is a hot topic on the public stage these days. It has long been a talking point for politicians, as they understand it is deeply linked with our fears and actions. The feeling of dread that accompanies rising crime rates creeps insidiously into the backs of our minds, making it a source of stress — and an effective tool for political maneuvering.
The fact is that we are frequently, and regrettably, misinformed about United States crime statistics. This misinformation stems from multiple causes, but political gain is one of the chief culprits. When we’re told crime is on the rise, we’re more likely to seek a solution from those who claim to offer one.
In a world of incessant broadcasting and social media echo chambers, it’s harder than ever to discern which statements are true and which are simply designed to appeal to our emotions.
That’s why these surprising facts about crime may come in handy. While some United States security statistics are misreported entirely, there are also dangers that don’t get as much attention. Let’s look at eight facts about crime that may come as a surprise, as well as effective ways to keep yourself safe.
1. Violent Crime Has Actually Fallen in the Last 25 Years
This statistic is at the top of our list because it seems to be one of the largest gray areas among our understanding of facts of crime in the United States.
According to the FBI, the violent crime rate decreased by 49% between 1993 and 2022. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) confirmed the decline in violent crime rates. However, it is important to note that a large number of violent crimes go unreported, which could skew the data.
Crime is also more prevalent in large urban areas, which tends to skew the national average heavily. We should also note that some urban areas have seen a marked increase in violent crime, while others have seen a decrease.
The conclusion is that violent crime, while rising a bit in the short-term, has been following a steady downward trend for the last quarter century. Any talk of the national crime rate rising is unfounded — or at the very least, not terribly useful.
2. Property Crime Has Seen a Significant Decrease
Although more common than violent crimes, property crimes have also been following the trend of becoming less prevalent. Property crime includes instances of burglary, robbery, arson and theft of motor vehicles. Following suit with violent crime, property crime has also seen a dramatic decrease in the last quarter century.
In the Council of Criminal Justice’s mid-year update, they reported that most property crimes had decreased in numbers when comparing the first six months of 2024 to the first six months of 2023. The following property crimes decreased:
- Motor vehicle theft
- Residential and non-residential burglaries
- Drug offenses
The only property crime that saw a spike in numbers was shoplifting. It seems clear that property crime is headed in the right direction.
Trying to pinpoint the cause of crime decrease can be a fruitless endeavor. Some theories include the decreased presence of leadership in our daily lives, the varying consumption of alcohol, the overall economy, the rate of incarceration and the strictness or leniency of police.
However, each of these theories can be easily countered by contrasting evidence or data. So, while it is an interesting thought exercise, the important takeaway is simply that property crime is decreasing. Remember that old rule of science: Correlation does not equal causation.
There is one factor that is certain, though. The use of alarm and home security systems plays a large role in decreasing property crime.
Burglars are drawn to homes that don’t use security systems, as they have a much lower chance of being caught in the act. Installing one in your home that features high-tech components including motion sensors, access control systems, security cameras or glass break sensors can greatly reduce your risk of home invasion.
3. Crime Rates Vary Vastly With Geography
Perhaps we’re hammering this point a bit, but it bears repeating. National crime rates do not affect everyone — or every place — equally. Some places in the United States enjoy a very low rate of both violent and property crime, while others seem to endure the most of its unpleasantness. New Hampshire, Maine and Idaho can brag with the titles of the safest states in America, while New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana are viewed as the most dangerous states to live in. Crime rates vary with factors like population density and a place’s economic situation. Some of the most peaceful and safe states to live in are in the northeast.
Even looking at a state as a whole doesn’t give you the whole picture. Minnesota, as a state, has relatively low crime rates, with your chances of being a victim of violent crime 1 out of 356. This number is shockingly low when compared to the 1 in 80 chance of becoming a violent crime victim in Minneapolis. When looking at overall crime statistics, Minnesota seems relatively safe. Clearly, that depends on where in Minnesota you live, as Minneapolis, MN, crime statistics paint a much darker picture.
In contrast, St. Paul, Minnesota’s crime statistics fall somewhere in the middle. Where Minneapolis is safer than a mere 1% of U.S. cities, St. Paul is safer than 3% of U.S. cities. One would think that, being in the same state, Minneapolis crime statistics would mirror those of St. Paul, but it just goes to show how vastly crime rates vary across the country, and even across the same state.
There are even some twists to this narrative, though. While it is often believed cities are less safe than suburban and rural areas, there is convincing evidence that city life may actually be safer. When you weigh all the dangers together, it appears being closer to other people could contribute to an overall increase in safety.
4. Firearms Represent a Significant Factor in Crime Statistics
Guns are the weapon of choice in cases of homicide — in 2022, nearly 50,000 people died via firearm. While this statistic represents deaths involving firearms, far more people are involved in nonfatal firearms injuries — 200 people per day. While gun violence is on the decline, the number of children and teens who died by firearms increased by 50% between 2019 and 2022. Furthermore, there were 656 mass shootings — incidents where at least four people are shot — in 2023.
In your day-to-day life, the best ways to stay safe from the threat of firearms are to be aware of your surroundings and to keep your home protected with a security system. When you’re walking alone, keep your eyes and ears open to avoid being caught by surprise and out of sight of others. At home, make sure your alarm system is on and working properly — doing so may save you from having a scrape with an armed intruder.
5. More Than Half of Violent Crimes Aren’t Reported to Police
This unfortunate truth is at the heart of much suffering and unsolved injustice. People often don’t report crimes to the police, and it happens for a myriad of reasons:
- A feeling that the police will not be able to help them
- The personal nature of the crime
- A fear that police involvement may somehow land them in trouble
Violent crimes are reported in slightly different numbers. In 2022, only 41.5% of violent crime victims reported the crime to the police. Household property crimes fared even worse, with only 31.8% reported to authorities.
Emotional distress and confidence in police play important roles in whether crimes get reported. If victims feel a large amount of stress over an incident, they are statistically more likely to report the crime.
6. The Public’s Opinion on Violent Crime Doesn’t Reflect the Data
When crime is down, it seems people have a hard time believing it. With so much information readily available, it’s easy to assume that the public is well-informed about crime data. However, the majority of Americans believe that crime is increasing despite data telling a different story. A 12% drop in murder rates shows that crime is on a downward path, yet 77% of U.S. citizens believe the opposite.
So, why does the public think that crime rates are up when the opposite is true? One reason could be that, while crime rates have decreased over the last few decades, so have police clearance rates. This means that even though fewer crimes are being committed, the police seem to solve less of them as well. In the 1960s, crime clearance rates hit a peak of 93%, but this number has been declining ever since, with a record low of 54% clearance in 2020.
Crime statistics are also a big issue covered in the media and politics. The best way to combat misinformation is to fact-check all claims. It’s difficult to remove emotion and bias from our outlooks, but it’s the first step in countering the onslaught of propaganda that besieges us.
7. Over 3.5 Million Home Burglaries Occur Annually in the United States
While crime has decreased encouragingly, property crime is still prevalent. To protect your home from invasion and robbery, it’s important to understand how burglars target and rob homes. Here are some facts about robberies and crimes to help you make sense of it:
- 85% of burglaries are crimes of opportunity.
- 30% of home robberies occur when a burglar enters through an open or unlocked door or window, thereby giving them quiet and easy entrance into a home.
- Renters are more likely to be burglarized than homeowners.
- 7% of home robberies end with the owner falling victim to violence.
- Police solve less than 15% of burglaries.
- Nearly 30% of burglaries occur when someone is home.
- Burglars avoid homes with security systems.
That last point is an important one, and is actually a vast understatement. In fact, homes with no alarm systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized than homes with them. That is a discrepancy that is difficult to argue against.
The loss of valuables, mementos, jewelry and money is a tragic reality that affects Americans every day. Alarm systems minimize the risk of loss by presenting an ominous threat to robbers. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to install them for fear of exorbitant costs, or because they believe their home is not at high risk of burglary.
8. Most Home Burglaries Occur in the Daytime
The weather is nice, the windows are open and the birds are singing. Unfortunately, robbers may also be waiting for an unsuspecting homeowner to leave the door open — both figuratively and literally.
Most instances of home burglary take place between noon and 4 p.m., and often, someone is home when it happens. Most burglaries are quick, taking less than 10 minutes. Burglars will often enter through the front door, head straight to the master bedroom.
We often imagine burglaries to take place during the nighttime, when in fact we may have our guards down more during the day. A strange vehicle parked on the street seems a lot more innocuous when the sun is shining, and oftentimes burglars can enter and leave someone’s home completely unnoticed.
Another shocking statistic is that victims often know the robbers personally. This is because robbers will frequently use information about the victim’s lifestyle and schedule against them when planning a theft.
Remember, the daytime is more likely to coincide with a robbery, so take measures to make your house unappealing to robbers. Keep the doors closed and locked, and remember to secure your house any time you leave.
Contact Lloyd Security for Security Systems in Minnesota to Maximize Your Home’s Security
For all your home security needs, call Lloyd Security. It’s time to take that 300% leap in the right direction when it comes to the safety of your home, family and possessions — and it’s as easy as visiting our website.
Lloyd has a wide variety of different, high-tech home security features. We offer security cameras, motion detectors, door and window alarms, glass breakage detectors, access control systems, freeze sensors, flood sensors and fire alarms.
Contact us today to make your house an unattractive threat to burglars and protect your hard-earned treasures for years to come.