In 1929, the International Association of Chiefs of Police started a program called the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This program was created to meet the need for reliable, uniform crime statistics in the nation. A year later, the FBI was responsible for collecting and publishing these statistics. Today, crime statistics are produced from data received by almost 17,000 law enforcement agencies in the nation. This data is then published through several annual statistical publications. This data is also used for special studies and reports on an annual basis.
Law enforcement agencies reported preliminary statistics for 2006, which resulted in an increase of 3.7 percent in violent crimes in the first six months of 2006 compared to the first six months in 2005. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Property crimes, which include burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, actually fell 2.6 percent in the first half of 2006 when compared to the same period in 2005.
Arson, which is also a property crime but not included with the property crime data, increased 6.8 percent in the first six months of 2006 when compared to the first six months of 2005.
Crime in the U.S. is overwhelming. We have to help our law enforcement agencies, as well as ourselves and focus on the PREVENTION of crime.
There are a couple of ways you can help prevent the unthinkable. Couple these together for maximum safety. The first way is to read, recite and remember the do's and don'ts when in public. A few suggestions are listed below. The second way is to deter an assailant if a crime is about to happen. Deterring an assailant can be difficult if you are not prepared. Preparedness means personal protection. Personal protection can be purchased in different ways. The most popular personal protection item is Mace or pepper spray, which comes in various sizes. Stun devices are also popular. Stun devices include stun guns and stun batons and come in various voltages and sizes. And there are many types of personal alarms as well.
Here are a few tips to remember:
AVOIDING VIOLENT CRIMES
Sexual Assault
1. Use initials instead of first names on mailboxes and phone listings.
2. Avoid remaining alone in an apartment laundry room or parking garage.
3. Never admit on the telephone or at the door that you are alone.
4. It is risky to accept a ride home from someone you have just met.
5. If you decide to physically resist assault, remember that your goal is to incapacitate the attacker long enough to run to safety and get help.
6. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, call police immediately. Do not bathe or change clothes or you may destroy evidence.
Robbery
1. Avoid carrying valuable items or large amounts of money.
2. Always think ahead. For example, when traveling at night, have your keys ready to enter the house or to start the car.
3. The best advice is to co-operate when confronted by a robber.
4. If you resist, there is a greater chance that you may be hurt.
Bank Machines
1. When using an automatic bank teller, always be watchful of any suspicious people around you.
2. The chances of being robbed at night are much greater, especially if you are alone.
3. If you find someone waiting and watching outside in the area of an ATM machine, do not use it. Leave the area and report the incident to the police immediately. You could save someone else from being a victim of crime.
Street Safety (Use Common Sense)
1. Stay in well-lighted, busy areas. Avoid walking alone and avoid known trouble spots.
2. When you carry a purse, hold it close to your body rather than by the handles. Do not wrap purse straps around your wrist, because you can get hurt in a struggle.
3. Carry only what you need in a purse or wallet, not everything you have.
4. Avoid using shortcuts through dark alleys, fields, or vacant lots.
5. If you think you're being followed cross the street and change directions a few times. Go quickly to a well-lighted place with lots of people. Do not go home. You don't want an attacker to know where you live.
Always remember, if you think a crime is about to be committed or you are in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation, dial 911.
