NCJ Number
90085
Date Published
Unknown
Length
34 pages
Annotation
The total Index crime for Alabama increased 72 percent from 1969 through 1975, with property crime rising 74 percent and violent crime 60 percent. While Birmingham, Jefferson County, and Mobile/Mobile County have 27 percent of the State's population, they report 47 percent of its crime.
Abstract
Property crime is Alabama's chief problem, accounting for 89 percent of all reported crime. All individual Index crimes increased markedly from 1969 to 1975. Homicide rose 18 percent, rape 49 percent, robbery 207 percent, and assault 31 percent. In addition, burglary increased by 82 percent, larceny by 71 percent, and auto theft by 61 percent. In comparison to Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee, Alabama has consistently remained lowest in percentage of increase for reported Index crime and next to the lowest in absolute number of reported Index crimes. All Index crimes but rape increased in 1975 over 1974. Larceny had the highest rate of increase while assault had the lowest. Although Birmingham and Mobile/Mobile County experienced population decreases from 1969 to 1975, their crime rates rose by 62 percent and 63 percent, respectively. Jefferson County saw a 7-percent increase in population and a 136-percent increase in crime. Property crime grew 142 percent in Jefferson County, 62 percent in Birmingham, and 59 percent in Mobile/Mobile County. Violent crime rose 87 percent in Jefferson County, 66 percent in Birmingham, and 104 percent in Mobile/Mobile County. In these high crime areas. individual Index crimes rose between 1974 and 1975 with few exceptions. Homicide and rape decreased in Jefferson County; burglary, assault, and rape declined in Birmingham; and homicide and assault decreased in Mobile. The report provides tables, graphs, and maps.