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  3. Violent Crime Up in Phoenix While U.S. Rate Falls

Violent Crime Up in Phoenix While U.S. Rate Falls

Dec 30, 2011 | Violent Crime

While violent crimes declined in most areas of the United States in the first 6 months of 2011, many Arizona cities, including Phoenix, experienced a rise in such crimes during that same period.  According to a recent FBI study, violent crime increased in 7 of the 10 Arizona cities reported.  In addition to Phoenix, the violent crime rate was up in Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Tucson, Tempe and Surprise.  The violent crimes mentioned in the study include forcible rape, murder and aggravated assault.

The report shows disturbing increases in Phoenix for both violent and non-violent crimes, including murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, property crime and burglary.

While it should be mentioned that the population in Phoenix increased by about the same percentage as the violent crime increase, the figures do call into question the effectiveness of Arizona’s tough stance on crime, particularly its harsh sentencing policies.  We reported on those policies in our December 28 blog.

According to KTAR, the specifics of the increase include the following:

  • Sexual Assault:  There were 522 sexual assaults reported in Phoenix in 2010, yet more than 350 were reported in the first half of 2011.
  • Homicide:  86 Phoenix homicides were investigated by the police in the first 6 months of 2011, compared with 116 during all of 2010.

If you have been charged with a violent crime in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, contact an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney and former prosecutor who can provide you with the best defense available.