MORE or LESS? ARE CRIME STATICTIS CLIMBING?
AND
HOW DOES MILWAUKEE METOPOLITAN AREA COMPARE ACROSS THE COUNTY?
In 2021, about 74 percent of Americans felt there is more crime now in the United States than there was a year ago. A further 17 percent of survey respondents said that there was less crime in the U.S. in 2021 than there was the year previous.
Violent crime -- a broad category of offenses that includes rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide -- is on the rise in the United States. According to FBI data, there were a total of 1.3 million violent offenses reported in 2020, or 388 for every 100,000 people -- a 5% increase from 2019.
The uptick was led by a spike in homicide. Nationwide, the number of murders surged by nearly 30%, from 16,669 in 2019 to 21,570 in 2020, the largest year-over-year increase on record.
A new year is upon us and it is a good time to reflect on 2021 in our state.
WISCONSIN ANNUAL CRIMES
VIOLENT PROPERTY TOTAL
Number of Crimes 18,861 86,654 105,515
Crime Rate 3.20 14.70 17.9
(per 1,000 residents)
Violent crime across Wisconsin has a much lower rate of violent crime (293 per 100,00) than the national rate (399 per 100,000). However, when examining specific regions, particularly the Milwaukee Metropolitan Area – violent crime exceeds the national average.
MILWAUKEE ANNUAL CRIMES
VIOLENT PROPERTY TOTAL
Number of Crimes 9,514 16,587 26,101
Crime Rate 16.48 28.74 45.22
(per 1,000 residents)
The Milwaukee metropolitan area's violent crime rate (678 per 100,000) is almost double that of the national average. This is alarming given that much larger American cities are comparatively lower.
For example, New Your City violent crime rate (573 per 100,000) is 16% LOWER than Milwaukee Metropolitan area; Los Angeles Metropolitan area violent crime rate (365 per 100,000) is 46% LOWER than Milwaukee Metropolitan area; and Houston Metropolitan violent crime rate (632 per 100,000) is 7 % LOWER than Milwaukee Metropolitan area. However. Milwaukee is not the worst in the mid-west, its neighbor to the south, Chicago is worse. The Chicago Metropolitan area violent crime rate (1,105 per 100,000) which is 39% HIGHER than Milwaukee Metropolitan area.
While we do not want anyone to live in fear, it is important to know the numbers and to be aware of things going on around you.
With decades of experience the team at Jones Law Firm is here to help with any of your legal needs. If you or someone you know is need of any legal help, contact us today to set up a free consultation. Please contact us by text or phone at (414) 775-7445 or email at laura@jlfwisconsin.com.
*Any articles in the Libra or posted by Jones Law Firm LLC are not legal advice for a particular client or situation. Further no attorney-client relationship is intended or created with this post.*
