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Crime Data Paper

Running head: CRIME DATA COMPARISON PAPER

Crime Data Comparison Paper

CJA314

Introduction
There are several ways by which we can determine the statistical
measures of the rate of crimes. An example of these measures is household surveys,
the records in hospitals, and the law enforcement agencies. When this data is finally
gathered and presented to FBI, the committee on Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) would

Crime Data Paper

step in and do their task. This program was first used in 1929 created by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police providing reliable crime statistics from their
respective offices for the nation's records (FBI, n.d.). Every year, more statistical
publications get produced and all the information that has been researched by several
hundreds of law enforcement agencies from the United States is pooled and recorded
into the standard crime report database. An analysis like this can help find out whether
there is really a crime prevention effort or if there are crimes that go out of control.
When we are able to compare the occurrences of offenses that are stated on the report
and the area where it was reported, the rates of crime in states or cities are easier to
determine.
Pennsylvania's Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
The two largest cities found in Pennsylvania are Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia. The population in the city of Philadelphia in 2008 grew to 1.4 million while
in Pittsburgh it grew to over 300,000 (UCR, 2010). As the number of people gradually
increases, there is a possibility of an increased amount of several crimes that are
committed. Based from Uniform Crime Report's data (UCR, 2010), the city of
Philadelphia have more crimes reported in that year compared to the reports from
Pittsburgh. These kinds of crimes usually being reported to Uniform Crime Report are
violent crimes like murder and rape, property crimes like burglary, larceny, robbery,
Motor vehicle theft, aggravated assault, and arson.
Crime Rate
In 2008, the number of burglaries that were reported in the city of
Philadelphia was 5,828 while in Pittsburgh there were 1,390 (UCR, 2010) reports. When
determining the average of these rates the number of burglaries being reported daily in
Philadelphia would be 112 times and in Pittsburgh there would be around 26 burglaries
committed per day. The average number of Philadelphia's burglaries per day
covers a certain area that

spans over 135.09 square miles (U.S. Census Bureau,

November 17, 2009) and Pittsburgh averages 26 burglaries a day and the area that is
affected spans 55 sq. miles (United States Census Bureau, dated November 17, 2009).

Crime Data Paper

For the year 2009, the number of burglaries in Philadelphia that were reported
according to Uniform
Crime Report has decreased from 5,828 cases to 4,847 incidents (UCR, 2010)
and that Pittsburgh went from 1,390 cases down to just1,220. In a span of one year the
crime rate committed have clearly decreased. The city of Philadelphia had almost a
thousand less burglaries in the year 2009 compared to what had been reported in the
year 2008 and sinilarly,Pittsburg had 170 lesser burglaries in 2009 compared to 2008.
Philadelphia's average of 112 burglaries per day was reduced to 93 burglaries per day
while in Pittsburgh their average of 26 burglaries per day was reduced to 23.

Factors Affecting the Difference in Rate

It is obvious that Philadelphia had a very significant change when studying
the decrease in the amount of burglaries that are committed. This change may be a
result more available resources and of the communities coming together to fight these
crimes. With this significant decrease the residents must continue maintaining control of
what their city has and keep crime rate down. In all, Pittsburgh has low numbers but the
area where it is being affected by crimes is half of the total number of Philadelphia.
Even if the crime rate is only reduced by 3 occurrences within a year, quite frankly it is
still lower number compared to the year before.

In Conclusion, Considering that Uniform Crime Report system of information was

created back in 1929, it permitted law enforcement agencies see the records on a
yearly basis, especially the level of crimes that are committed. Reporting these crimes
to Uniform Crime Report allows the law enforcement agencies and even the citizens as

Crime Data Paper

well to see the real crimes happening within the community. As time evolved the rate
and types of crime, it can either decrease or increase. It is evident that within that one
year span, the statistics showed that the alarming rate of burglaries in Philadelphia
decreased greatly; Although Pittsburgh didn't have a significant change it still declined at
some degree. Were they able to compose new resources? Will the community work
closer together now? Whatever they are trying to accomplish, it is obvious that it is
effective. If there is an overall growth in crime rate, the information would be beneficial
in determining what jobs need to be accomplished in order to maintain if not eliminate
the level of crimes that are being committed.

Crime Data Paper

References

Federal Bureau of Investigations. Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report,

January
June 2009 (2010). Retrieved May 1, 2011 from
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/2009prelimsem/table_4mt-oh.html
Federal Bureau of Investigations. Uniform Crime Reports (n.d.). Retrieved May 1,
2011
From http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm
U.S. Census Bureau. State & County Quick Facts Philadelphia County,
Pennsylvania (November
17, 2009). Retrieved May1, 2011 from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42101.html
U.S. Census Bureau. State & County QuickFacts Pittsburgh County,
Pennsylvania (November
17, 2009). Retrieved May 1, 2011 from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/4261000.html