Crime has been falling in Arizona for at least six years, but violent crime in the state spiked last year, according to a new federal report.
Figures from the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report for 2017, which was released in September, revealed an overall drop of 1.4 percent in the state but a 7.9 percent rise in the violent crime rate.
Under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program, violent crime is made up of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crimes are defined as offenses that involve force or threat of force.
According to the FBI report, the violent crime rate across the U.S. fell slightly by 0.9 percent in 2017. The decease followed a rise in previous years. The property crime rate in the United States fell by 3.6 percent.
Violent crimes rose by 9.5 percent last year in Arizona. The city of Phoenix accounted for much of the increase. In Phoenix, police recorded 1,800 more violent crimes in 2017 than in the previous year.
Phoenix police noted part of the rise in violent crime was linked to a change in the way figures are recorded. From 2014, definition changes have been made to aggravated assaults and rapes.
The uptick in violent crime in cities like Phoenix was expected by some academics. Michael S. Scott, a clinical professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University, told AZCentral the types of offenses recorded in the annual report can vary greatly among towns and cities. Reporting practices within individual agencies that share information with the FBI also vary. He said:
“We’ve seen years in which murder was down significantly in some major cities and up in others. Local conditions (social, environmental, economic) largely dictate crime levels rather than national factors.”
Experts warn against comparing different cities where there may be variations in how crimes are compiled. Scott told AZCentral, the data should not be used to compare cities because there are many other factors that lead to variations from place to place. While the public is concerned about violent offenses, the report leaves out crimes like drug offenses.
Violent crimes such as homicides are among the most serious offenses you can be charged with. Homicides such as first-degree murder carry a life sentence in prison and prosecutors may seek the death penalty. Other homicides such as manslaughter, second-degree murder, and negligent homicide carry significant prison sentences. You should seek the help of an experienced Arizona homicide defense lawyer as soon as possible. Call the Garcia Law Firm at (602) 340-1999.
