FBI Ties Crime Increase
to Meth Use
After
a 39-percent decrease over 13 years, the FBI says violent crime is rising
in the United States, and they attribute that in part to Meth use.
Preliminary crime numbers for 2006 show violent crime is on the rise for a
second straight year. The number has been pushed up by a 6 percent
increase in robberies, and federal officials said they believe a
nationwide spike in Meth use is fueling that increase.
Though
violent crime numbers have gone up only modestly, the FBI said there is
reason for concern, because the statistics suggest a national Meth
epidemic may be pushing those numbers higher. Three of the nation's four
geographic regions – including the Midwest - reported an increase in
violent crime.
Percent change from 2005 to 2006 in key crimes for the Midwest region:
-
Violent crime
+2.1
-
Murder
+0.2
-
Forcible rape +0.3
-
Robbery
+5.1
-
Aggravated assault
+0.6
-
Property crime
+0.1
-
Burglary
+4.0
-
Larceny-theft
-0.4
-
Motor vehicle theft
–3.6
-
Arson +4.6
Access the
2006 Preliminary Annual Crime Report from the FBI
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