FBI: Violent Crime Fell In 2011
Violent crimes and property crimes reported to police in 2011 fell 3.8% and 0.5% respectively, according to finalized FBI data released Monday. The report came in direct conflict with federal Bureau of Justice Statistics reporting that violent crime jumped by about 18%, and property crimes rose by 11% in 2011.
Violent crimes and property crimes reported to police in 2011 fell 3.8% and 0.5% respectively, according to finalized FBI data released Monday.
The FBI released its "Crime In the United States" annual crime report based on Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) data that law enforcement agencies submit annually to the FBI. The report essentially reiterated information initially released in June.
The report came in direct conflict with data released earlier this month by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics reporting that violent crime jumped by about 18%, and property crimes rose by 11% between 2010 and 2011. The Bureau of Justice Statistics report also measures crimes not reported to police.
In its UCR-based report, the FBI touted a fifth consecutive year of decline in violent crime and a ninth straight year of declines in property crimes. Other highlights from the report include:
Each of the four violent crime offense estimates decreased when compared with the 2010 estimates. Robbery had the largest decrease at 4%, followed by aggravated assault with a 3.9% decline, forcible rape with a 2.5% decline, and murder and nonnegligent manslaughter with a 0.7% decrease.
There was a 3.3 percent decline in motor vehicle theft and a 0.7% decline in larceny-theft offenses. Estimated burglary offenses increased by 0.9% when compared with the 2010 estimate.
Collectively, victims of property crimes (excluding arson) lost an estimated $15.6 billion in 2011.
The FBI estimated that in 2011, agencies nationwide made about 12.4 million arrests, excluding traffic violations.
The 2011 arrest rate for violent crimes was 172.3 per 100,000 inhabitants; for property crime, the rate was 531.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
By violent crime offense, the arrest rate for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter was 3.5; forcible rape, 6.3; robbery, 34.5; and aggravated assault was 128 arrests per 100,000 inhabitants.
By property crime offense, the arrest rate for burglary was 95.6; larceny-theft, 410.6; and motor vehicle theft, 21.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The arrest rate for arson was 3.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.
In 2011, there were 14,633 law enforcement agencies that reported their staffing levels to the FBI. These agencies reported that, as of Oct. 31, 2011, they collectively employed 698,460 sworn officers and 303,524 civilians, a rate of 3.4 employees for each 1,000 inhabitants.
Related:
More Patrol
Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →
NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month
Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.
Read More →
National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today
A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police
The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.
Read More →
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.
Read More →