FBI data highlights prevalence of property crime

FBI data highlights prevalence of property crime
Friday, December 5, 2014  

Posted by: ESA Communications

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

ESA Media Contacts

Shannon Murphy
Vice President,
Sales & Marketing
Phone: (888) 447-1689 ext. 6835
E-mail: [email protected]

Jaclyn Sion
Marketing Manager
Phone: (888) 447-1689 ext. 6818
E-mail: [email protected]

FBI Data Highlights Prevalence of Property Crimes with Tips from ESA
Crimes cost homeowners $16.6 billion in 2013

Irving, Texas (Dec. 5, 2014) — Despite a drop in crime rates for the 11th consecutive year, statistics released Nov. 10 by the FBI show that home burglaries continue to be one of the most common crimes against property in the United States.

The FBI collects and presents each year’s data in its annual report, Crime in the United States. The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program collects information on crimes reported by 18,415 city, county, state, university, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. Crimes reported include such violent crimes as murder, rape, robbery and assault as well as property crimes including burglary, larceny theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. Larceny theft had the highest arrest rate for property crimes included in the report at 405.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Burglaries came in second with a rate of 82.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by motor vehicle theft at 21.4 and arson at 3.4.
Data collected by the UCR shows an estimated 4.4 percent decline in violent crimes when compared to 2012, with a corresponding decrease in crimes against property of 4.1 percent. The 2013 statistics show the estimated rate of violent crime was 367.9 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, and the property crime rate was 2,730.7 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. The violent crime rate declined 5.1 percent compared to the 2012 rate, while the property crime rate declined 4.8 percent.
Reported burglaries showed the most precipitous drop, falling by 8.6 percent. Reported rapes fell by the second-largest drop at 6.3 percent, followed by aggravated assault (5 percent), murder and non-negligent manslaughter (4.4 percent), motor vehicle theft (3.3 percent), robbery (2.8 percent) and larceny-theft (2.7 percent). Collectively, victims of property crimes excluding arson suffered losses of an estimated $16.6 billion in 2013.The data released Nov. 10 surrounding burglaries and their attendant arrest rates came out roughly ten months after a study funded by the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF) on convicted burglars and their habits and methods. The study, in which convicted burglars from North Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio were interviewed about their motivation and techniques, found that 83 percent of offenders would attempt to determine whether or not a target home had an alarm system or not. The study found that 60 percent of offenders would avoid homes with security systems installed.

The FBI stressed that the rough statistics provided no insight into the deeper variables that mold crime in any particular jurisdiction, and could lead to simplistic or incomplete analyses of crime in any given community.

By thinking like a burglar and using advanced technology to reinforce security at home, homeowners can protect their property and keep their family safe from crime. You can find a trusted ESA member company for your home security needs by going to Alarm.org and entering your ZIP code.

ABOUT ESA

Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. ESA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at www.ESAweb.org.

You are receiving this press release as a courtesy of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). If you don’t want to receive future communications, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. If you prefer to receive information in a different format, or as an attachment, or if you need additional information, please contact the Communications Department.

Electronic Security Association
6333 N. State Highway 161, Suite 350 • Irving, TX 75038
Toll Free (888) 447-1689 • Local (972) 807-6800 • Fax (972) 807-6883

All content 2014 © Electronic Security Association, Inc.