It’s time for national elections when the candidates disagree on just about everything, including crime. One candidate says crime is down in America, but according to the opposition standard bearer, it's up. The truth is that both sides may be correct.
If you’re confused, it only gets worse. The data relied upon by both candidates comes from the federal government. Yes, our federal government compiles crime data yearly and releases it to help us understand what’s happening in America. So, two candidates relying on data from the same source come to opposing conclusions about the direction the crime rate takes, and each may be correct.
As you continue reading, we’ll explain what the data compiled at the national level tells us about the problem in America. Also explained is why understanding the source of the data, how it was collected, and the specific crimes it reports is essential to understanding what the statistics say about the scope of criminal activity. Along the way, we look at the Oklahoma Crime Statistics report compiled by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for insight into how the data reveals the difference between what’s happening nationwide wide and what’s taking place in your home state.
Where Do the Candidates Get Their Crime Statistics?
The two primary sources of information about criminal activity nationally are the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, or simply the “UCR,” and the National Crime Victimization Survey, commonly called the “NCVS.” The information provided by each program is equally valuable, but they use different methods to gather it and focus their attention on different crimes. Taken together, the UCR and NCVS give a comprehensive picture of criminal activity throughout the nation.
The Uniform Crime Reporting Program
The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program collects and publishes data on crime reported by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The UCR is administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The program is a standardized way to gather reliable crime statistics from across the country. It includes information on a range of criminal offenses and helps policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and researchers analyze crime trends and patterns.
The Uniform Crime Reporting program collects and publishes data on the crimes listed below.
- Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
- Rape
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Burglary
- Larceny-theft
- Motor vehicle theft
- Arson
- Cargo theft
- Human trafficking
The UCR relies on monthly reports from law enforcement agencies nationwide regarding the crimes reported within their jurisdictions.
Although it is considered a reliable crime data source, the UCR has flaws. The most notable flaw is that crimes must be reported to a law enforcement agency to be included. Some types of crimes that occur, such as rape and assault, may not be reported by victims, resulting in such crimes being underrepresented in the UCR.
National Crime Victimization Survey
The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is a primary source of data on crime victimization in the United States, conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This survey collects detailed information on non-fatal crimes experienced by individuals, whether reported to law enforcement or not, helping to assess the scope of unreported crime.
The NCVS reports on the crimes listed below.
- Rape or sexual assault
- Robbery
- Aggravated and simple assault
- Personal larceny
- Burglary and trespassing
- Motor vehicle theft
- Other types of theft crimes
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter reported in the UCR are not included in the NCVS. Moreover, some crimes reported in both the UCR and the NCVS are not defined the same.
For example, burglary is defined in the UCR as unlawfully entering or attempting to enter a structure to commit a felony or theft. The NCVS defines it as entering or attempting to enter a residence without the right to be there. Defining burglary in terms of homes and other residences rather than commercial structures emphasizes the effects of the crime on individuals.
Oklahoma Crime Statistics
Oklahoma has a crime reporting system focusing on crimes committed within the state. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, or OSBI, collects crime data from state, county, city, and town law enforcement agencies throughout the state on the following categories of crimes:
- Crimes Against Persons: Included in the crimes are murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape and other sex offenses, simple and aggravated assault, and intimidation.
- Crimes Against Property: Examples of crimes included in this category are robbery, arson, bribery, and burglary.
- Crimes Against Society: Examples of crimes against society include animal cruelty, drug violations, and weapon violations.
To get an idea of the crime problem throughout the U.S., the UCR and NVSC provide reliable information about the crimes they report on, but a better picture of trends in crime in Oklahoma can be found in the OSBI report.
What Conclusions Can Be Drawn From these Reports?
According to the data compiled by UCR, NVSC, and OSBI, overall crime rates in the country are down. This is based on a comparison of data from 2023 and 2022. However, individual categories of crimes may tell a different story.
For example, the rate of murder and non-negligent manslaughter in Oklahoma decreased by 10.12% in 2023, but crimes against persons increased by 4% overall. To further show how crime statistics require scrutiny, 2023 was the first year that fentanyl deaths were classified as homicides by the Oklahoma City Police Department when a seller of the drug could be identified and charged. A reporting decision is all it took to increase the homicide rate in Oklahoma City, proving that data and statistics require scrutiny before conclusions can be drawn from them.
