Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog

The FBI has issued its annual Uniform Crime Report. For the state of Massachusetts, the FBI reported that the following cities had the highest number of reported violent crimes:

Boston: 7,533 violent crimes
Worcester: 1,496 violent crimes
Springfield: 2,260 violent crimes
New Bedford: 1,143 violent crimes

Not every Massachusetts city contributed data to the report. In the Metro South area, the cities with the highest number of violent crime reports included:

Quincy: 305 violent crimes
Randolph: 156 violent crimes
Taunton: 290 violent crimes

Also, according to the FBI, violent crimes increased nationally by two percent. Murders in big cities across the U.S. rose by 1.8%, and arson and robberies also grew in the bigger population areas. The number of reported theft and car crimes, however, decreased.

The FBI says that the new data shows that violent crimes are increasing in the United States. The Justice Department attributes the rise to an increase of youth violence, gangs, and guns. The Bush Administration has promised to spend $50 million to fight guns and gangs.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Agency also issues a Uniform Crime Report. Here are the following rates that it provided for crimes committed in Massachusetts in 2006:

Violent Crimes: 28,775
Murder: 186
Property: 153,913
Forcible Rape: 1,742
Aggravated Assault: 18,800
Robbery: 8, 047
Larceny-theft: 100,771
Burglary: 35,181
Vehicle theft: 17,961

FBI releases 2006 crime data by town, The Enterprise, September 30, 2007

FBI: Violent crimes in U.S. near 5-year peak, MSNBC/AP, September 24, 2007

Massachusetts Crime Rates 1960 - 2006, Disaster Center.com

Related Web Resource:

Uniform Crime Reports, FBI