UCR reveals increasing violence
Last year, the U.S. had more than 20,000 murders. This is the highest total since 1995. It is an increase of 4,000 more than in 2019. According to UCR numbers, this represents a 25% surge in murders. And the largest single-year increase since the agency started publishing uniform data in 1960.
“Overall violent crime was up 5.6% to nearly 1.3 million incidents, although property crime fell 7.8% to nearly 6.5 million incidents, marking the 18th consecutive year that property crimes have decreased,” the FBI said.
The causes of increasing crime
Experts suggest that some of the surges in violence may be a reaction to the difficulties and financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 techno-pandemic.
Defunding police departments and a lack of policing engagement may also play a role in increasing crime.
During the 2020 May and June unrest, there was growing hostility toward the police. Law enforcement became demoralized, and, in some cases, defunded. When officers fear the greater risk of being sued, fired, or prosecuted they may pull back on enforcement.
