FBI: Violent Crime Increasing In South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The FBI says violent crime has increased in South Carolina despite a dip nationwide.

Data released Monday show violent crime increasing for the third consecutive year, to 34,736 of the crimes reported statewide in 2007. That’s up from 33,078 crimes in 2006 and 32,384 in 2005.
   
The latest statistics represent 788 crimes per 100,000 South Carolinians. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault.
   
While the number of murders and rapes in South Carolina decreased slightly from 2006, other violent crimes increased, as did property crimes.
   
Nationwide, 10,000 fewer violent crimes were reported last year.

The FBI cautions against using the report to compare states and cities, saying such rankings are incomplete and misleading.

State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd says it’s unclear what’s causing the increase in South Carolina, but increased gang activity could be playing a part.

He called the numbers unacceptable. “We are going to devote the majority of our resources to violent crime, whether that’s gang activity or drug activity or what have you. We’re going to be very aggressive on that front,“ he told News Channel 7.

Read the report.

South Carolina State Crime Table