NCJ Number
80261
Date Published
1978
Length
148 pages
Annotation
Based on data gathered from the Uniform Crime Reporting program, this report presents statistics on crime in Alaska for 1977, including trends between 1973 and 1977, comparisons with other States, and an analysis of urban areas.
Abstract
A discussion of Alaska's crime index rate concludes that, after adjusting for the increase in police departments which reported crime statistics, the crime rate rose less than 1 percent between 1976 and 1977. Crime rates are reviewed for the period 1973-1977 to disprove the theory that crime has run rampant in Alaska since work began on the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Alaska's crime historically has been greater than the Nation's, but the gap is closing because the large increase in the State's population has not been accompanied by a comparable increase in crime. Alaska's 1976 crime rates are compared with Wyoming, States from the same geographic area, and the entire United States. Crime rates were 53 percent higher in Alaska than Wyoming, but 20 percent lower than in the geographic division which included California, Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon. Statistics on Part I crime in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan for 1974-1977 indicate that the crime rates for Alaskan cities are much greater than those of other U.S. cities. Statistics covering volume, trends between 1974 and 1977, nature of the offenses, clearance rates, and arrests are presented for the following crimes: criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. The values of property stolen during 1977 and property recovered are detailed. Based on reports from the Alaska State Troopers and the Juneau police, data on Part II crimes are analyzed, such as driving while intoxicated, vandalism, assaults, and narcotic drug violations. Tables summarizes statewide clearance rates for Part I and Part II offenses in 1976 and 1977, as well as arrests according to sex, age, race, and offense. Information on law enforcement officers killed or assaulted during 1977 shows that such incidents increased 15 percent over the previous year. Statistical reports submitted by individual jurisdictions are appended.