Violent Crime Is Spiking In These Cities

Posted by Brianna Panzica on the Wealth Wire

Nationwide, the trend of violent crimes between 2006 and 2011 has been positive. Instances of crimes like murder, robbery, and aggravated assault dropped 19.4 percent. But that trend doesn’t hold true for every city, and 24/7 Wall Street put together a list of ten cities that saw the highest increase in violent crime between 2006 and 2011.

10. Palm Coast, Florida

Violent crime in Palm Coast grew 30.4 percent in the five year period, particularly in robberies. Property crime and vehicle thefts are down, and murders are only 1.0 per 100,000.

9. Albany, Georgia

Albany’s violent crime rate grew 31.2 percent, with murders jumping 53.8 percent to 10 per 100,000 people. The city’s East side was the biggest offender, known for its gangs and drug problems.

8. Pascagoula, Mississippi

Aggravated assault rates in Pascagoula more than doubled in the five year span, with a violent crime increase of 25.8 percent. Murders and robberies, however, declined.

7. Billings, Montana

Billings also experienced a 68 percent increase in aggravated assaults, pushing the violent crime rate up 42.6 percent in five years.

6. Muncie, Indiana

In Muncie, both aggravated assault and robberies contributed to a 47.9 percent increase in violent crime.

5. Rapid City, South Dakota

Aggravated assault jumped 64 percent in Rapid City alongside a 42 percent increase in robberies. Despite a drop in motor vehicle theft and property crime, violent crime rose 50.5 percent.

4. Bend, Oregon

Bend’s high unemployment rates – 14.1% in 2006 and 12.4% in 2011 – may have contributed to the 52 percent increase in violent crimes. Property crimes, however, fell after the city addressed drug problems.

3. Mobile, Alabama

Aggravated assault grew nearly two and a half times in the five year period in Mobile. This and the 54.6 percent violent crime rate may have been a result of cuts in the police force.

2. Manchester-Nashua, New Hampshire

These cities have seen heavy increases in violent crimes since the ’80s, and in these five years they grew 61.7 percent. Aggravated assault was the biggest problem

1. Redding, California

While murders in Redding are only 3.3 per 100,000, violent crime in general grew 103.4 percent to 726.1 per 100,000 in 2011. The police force, the city newspaper noted, is the same size as nearly two decades ago when the population was smaller by 12

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay in Redding

Credit: Wikipedia

Reposted courtesy of the Wealth Wire http://www.wealthwire.com/news/liberty/4289?r=1