Violent Crime Is Up, But Here's Why You Don't Need to Panic

The latest FBI report comparing crime rates in 2015 and 2016 shows a 4.1 percent increase in violent crime and a 1.3 percent decrease in property crime nationwide. For some readers, politicians and policymakers, this may sound like the sirens that go off when the Dallas Stars score a goal at home. But, as famous college football personality Lee Corso reminds us every Saturday, "not so fast."It is true that the increase from year to year is noticeable, and Texas as a whole followed the U.S. trend for the two-year time period. For example, in Texas, the violent crime rate per 100,000 persons increased 5.3 percent from 2015 to 2016, while the property crime rate decreased by 2.9 percent. Importantly, the percent change in the murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate increased by 10.5 percent, from 4.8 per 100,000 to 5.3 per 100,000.  Continue reading...