July 20, 1964 - Serious crime in the United States rose 10% last year over the 1962 figures, the FBI reported today.
As serious crime the bureau listed the following offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny involving at least $50 worth of property, and automobile theft.
There were 2,259,100 serious offenses last year, an average of four a minute. Crimes against property — burglary, larceny of $50, and auto theft — showed an increase of 11%, the highest for any group of offenses. Since 1958, the FBI reported, the number of serious crimes in the nation has risen 40%. This is five times the population increase of 8%.
There were 8,500 murders reported last year, an average of one an hour. There were 16,400 forcible rapes, 100,160 robberies, and 147,800 aggravated assaults.
Burglary was by far the most prevalent major crime, with 975,900 offenses reported. There were 611,400 larcenies where the value of the stolen property was over $50, and 399,000 auto thefts.
J. Edgar Hoover (pictured), the FBI director, estimated the annual cost of crime in the U.S. “conservatively” at $27 billion. Property stolen last year was valued at more than $785 million, he said.
The suburban crime rate rose 13% over 1962, with the urban rate up 10% and the rural rate up 6%.
The number of arrests of youths under 18 rose 11% over 1962, marking the 15th consecutive annual increase.
Youths under 18 accounted for 50.4% of the arrests in suburban areas for serious crimes. In the nation as a whole, they accounted for 46.2% of the arrests.
Nevada was the state with the highest reported crime rate — 2,990 serious offenses for every 100,000 persons. Mississippi had the lowest reported rate — 393 crimes for every 100,000 persons.
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