Violent Crime Reported Down in 2007

Data released Monday by the FBI show violent crime dipped slightly nationwide in 2007. That ended two years of increases in murders, robberies and other kinds of the worst crime in U.S. cities.

An estimated 1.4 million violent crimes were reported across the country last year - about 10,000 fewer, or a 0.7 percent drop, than 2006.

The number of burglaries, car thefts, arsons and other property crimes also dropped by 140,000, or 1.4 percent. That marked the fifth year of property crime decreases, the FBI said.

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said the decline is the result of crackdowns on gangs, drug dealers and gun crimes, and he used the drop to call on Congress for $200 million in additional funding to continue such efforts.

Read full article here. [Brooks Holland]