Crime in the United States has fluctuated quite a bit throughout the years; the crime rate escalated throughout the 1980s, and reached its peak in 1993 and then began to decrease throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 1999, the United States had a crime index rate of 4,267 reported offenses per 100,000 population representing an 8 percent decrease since previous year. In 2008, The United States violent and property crime rates were at the lowest levels recorded since1973.
There are many things that could have contributed to the falling crime rates, but it is impossible to know the exact cause. Some of the things that may have contributed are police strategies, current programs for offenders in prison and efforts to assist offenders when they are released, and incarceration for major crimes.
Recent statistics show that the crime rate could be starting to increase again. The year 2005 was overall the safest year that the U.S. has had in the last thirty years. The recent overall decrease in crime has reflected all major types of crime, with both violent and property crimes decreasing, the U.S. has reached an all-time low. The homicide rate alone has decreased over 42% since its last record high point in 1991 and was continually decreasing until the year 2005, where it has since remained level.
On the other hand, property and violent crimes overall have continued to decrease. They are not decreasing as much as they were throughout the 1990s, but unlike homicide rates they are still declining. Overall, the crime rate in the U.S. was the same in 2004 as it was in 1969, with the homicide rate being about the same as in 1966. Violent crime overall, however, is still at about the same level as in 1974, even though it has greatly decreased since 1991.