Welp. That's interesting ...
The FBI has released its Crime in the United States Report, and Colorado, like all other states, definitely hasn't escaped issues.
According to the report, in 2018, an estimated 1,206,836 violent crimes occurred nationwide, which is actually a decrease of 3.3 percent from the 2017 estimate. Aggravated assaults accounted for 66.9 percent of violent crimes reported to law enforcement in 2018. Robbery offenses accounted for 23.4 percent of violent crime offenses; rape (legacy definition) accounted for 8.4 percent; and murder accounted for 1.3 percent.
Courtesy of FBI.com
When looking strictly at Colorado numbers, which is calculated by number of crimes in context of population, the metro area had the most representation in the top 10, with the rest being southern Colorado towns. The ranking is as follows (remember that crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population):
1. Glendale: 46 violent crimes, including 8 rapes, 6 robberies, and 32 aggravated assaults.
2. Sheridan: 52 violent crimes, including 7 rapes, 11 robberies, 34 aggravated assaults, as well as 543 property crimes, 47 burglaries, 424 larceny thefts, and 72 motor vehicle thefts.
3. Pueblo: 1,100 violent crimes.
4. Alamosa: 56 violent crimes, including 12 rapes, 9 robberies, and 35 aggravated assaults.
5. Federal Heights: 86 violent crimes, 2 murders, 9 rapes, 12 robberies, and 63 aggravated assaults, as well as 554 property crimes.
6. Greenwood Village: 94 violent crimes, including 9 rapes, 7 robberies, and 78 aggravated assaults, as well as 728 property crimes.
7. Canon City: 94 violent crimes and 757 property crimes.
8. Denver: 65 murders, 717 rapes, and 1,211 robberies, among others.
9. La Junta: 34 violent crimes, including 12 rapes, 1 robbery, and 21 aggravated assaults.
10. Trinidad: 43 violent crimes, including 5 rapes, 5 robberies, 33 aggravated assaults, as well as 20 vehicle thefts.
Of course, the ranking should be taken with a grain of salt. No community is without crime issues, and it appears that "white-collar crimes" are not taken into account. There is much more that can be measured, and it appears the FBI is gearing up to do just that.
In order to provide more transparent and detailed information, the current Summary Reporting System that tracks crime will be replaced by the National Incident-Based Reporting System by January 2021.
"As a nation, we continue to face an evolving crime landscape. To stay ahead of threats, and keep people safe, we need a clear and complete picture of what’s going on in our communities. We need greater transparency and accountability in policing. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) will help make this happen," said Christopher Wray, FBI Director.
What do you think? Do you live in one of these communities, and if so, do you agree with the assessment? Let us know in the comments below.
