The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) collects information from victims on nonfatal violent and property crimes, reported and not reported to the police, against persons age 12 or older from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. According to 2011 NCVS data, there has been an increase in both violent crime and property crime victimizations in the U.S. when compared to 2010.
Another source of crime data is the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The UCR Program reports a statistical compilation of offense and arrest data reported by U.S. law enforcement agencies that voluntarily participate in the program. Data from the 2011 UCR shows a decrease in reported violent and property crime offenses, continuing a trend showing a general decline in crime from prior recent years.
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In 2011, the UCR violent crime rate decreased to approximately 386 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals, representing the lowest violent crime rate since 1973. Violent crime had risen from 1960 through the early 1990s, when it peaked and then began a decline.[4], [5]
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In 2011, the UCR property crime rate declined to approximately 2,909 property crimes per 100,000 individuals, the lowest point since 1967.[6], [7]
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In 2011, approximately 48% percent of violent crimes and 19% of property crimes were cleared by arrest or exceptional circumstance. To be considered “cleared,” the offender was arrested, charged with the commission of the offense, and turned over to the court for prosecution (whether following arrest, court summons, or police notice). Or, in exceptional circumstances, elements beyond law enforcement's control prevented the agency from arresting and formally charging the offender.[8]
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Approximately 74% of people arrested in 2011 in the U.S. were males; males accounted for approximately 80% of violent crime arrests and 63% of property crime arrests.[9]
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Approximately 69% of people arrested in the U.S. were white in 2011, 28% were black, and 2% were of other races.[10]
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An estimated 756,000 gang members and 29,400 gangs were active in the U.S. in 2010. This does not include motorcycle gangs, prison gangs, or hate groups.[11]
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In fiscal year 2007, federal, state, and local governments spent approximately $228 billion on justice systems, including police protection, corrections, and judicial and legal services, a 1.3% increase over the previous year, adjusting for inflation.[12]
