How Is Crime Data Collected - What Are The Statistics Today - And How Can A Crime Be Prevented

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 including Electronic Pocket Whistles, 130 decibal alarms and combination flashlight alarms.

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. If you are confronted by a robber, the best advice is to cooperate.

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 are being followed, cross the street and change directions a few times. Go quickly to a well-lit area with lots of people. Do not go home. You do not 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

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Violent Crime is on the Rise in America Today

Today, it's hard to turn on the TV or radio without hearing about a recent violent crime that has occurred somewhere in the nation. The headlines from coast to coast warn of the potential for assault, rape, murder, and other violent acts. As a result, today most families are aware of this growing threat. On the other hand, far too many people believe that crimes only happen to "other people," and therefore never take steps to protect their safety or prepare for the possibility of being attacked. Just how common are violent crimes in America today?

The four major categories of violent crime are murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. In addition, there are dozens of other crimes that may turn violent, such as a home invasion or a carjacking. In fact, violent crime is often defined as any crime that utilizes violence or a threat of violence, whether the intention of the act is the violence itself or the perpetration of some other crime.

Every year, there are nearly 1,400,000 serious crimes reported around the country. Aggravated assault tops the list at a staggering 62 percent of all reported violent crimes. While it is believed that the rate of assault has declined over the past few years, it still accounts for nearly 850,000 crimes every year, in nearly every city across the country and in rural areas too. You can never be sure that such a crime will not happen to you or to your family or friends, even if you live in an area that you consider safe.

After aggravated assaults, robberies account for the next highest numbers of violent crimes. At nearly 30 percent of all violent crimes committed within the United States, over 400,000 robberies occur in the U.S. each year. Robbery is defined as the taking of personal property by the use of violence or the threat of violence. In addition to attacks on the street with an aim of robbery, there are also carjackings, business break-ins, and home invasions as well as other property crimes that may turn violent.

Rape and sexual assault accounts for over 94,000 reported crimes each year. Approximately 6 of every 100 women currently living the United States will become a victim of rape or sexual assault during her lifetime. Sexual assault is the only category of violent crime in which females are the primary victims. For all other types of violent crimes, men fall victim more often than women. Your appearance, no longer how confident or "tough looking" you are, is not enough to keep you safe from a violent attack.

Murder accounts for about one percent of all reported violent crimes. Although statistically small, this means about 15,000 murders each year. This high number is enough to strike fear into anyone, giving you more than enough reason to purchase pepper spray, home security alarms, and other devices to keep you and your family safe from this and other violent crimes. If you do find yourself in a situation that is potentially violent, wouldn't you want to be able to protect yourself and the ones you love from harm?

Did you like this article? Bryan Hough is President of UBackOff.com a leading company in the Self Defense industry providing state of the art Pepper Spray products at wholesale prices. For hundreds more informative articles on how to protect yourself see UBackOff.com. Also see our pepper spray blog @ http://www.PepperSprayForSelfDefense.com. Contact @ ubackoff_sales@ubackoff.com or 317-254-1760.