Crime Data Comparison Paper

Crime Data Comparison Paper

Lisa Rice
CJA/314
July 18, 2014
Corry Powers

Crime Data Comparison Paper

Crime data is reported through the UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting Program)
recorded by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Local law enforcement agencies report
their yearly crime to the UCR. Crime datas are divided into personal/violent crimes,
property crimes, burglary, murder, arson, and robbery (Federal Bureau of Investigation,
2014). The only way this report can remain accurate is if all crimes being commented are
reported. There is crime everywhere in all parts of the world; some areas are higher than
others. People use the UCR report when looking into moving to a new area. It can show
what neighborhoods have a higher break in rate versus another neighborhood. Crime
rates can vary from city to city, month to month, and year to year. If the economy is down
crime rates normally shoot up, because people turn to crime to feed their families. The
UCR report can also be altered if there is a high police patrol presence in one area versus
another.
I have chosen Augusta, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia as the two metropolitan areas
to compare in crime statics. I have lived most of my life in the outer area of Richmond
County, located in Augusta, Georgia. And Chatham County is located in Savannah,
Georgia. My husband and I love visiting Savannah from time to time. In 2012, the
population was 195,844 for Augusta, Georgia. The population had a slight increase of
0.2% from 2000 to 2012. The racial makeup breakdown is 45.01% are Caucasian;
50.12% are African American, and 4.87% make up other races. The population for
Chatham County in 2012 was 276,434, which was a 14.3% increase from 2000. The
racial makeup breakdown for Savannah, Georgia is 61% Caucasian, 33.7% African
American, and 10.9% of other races.

Crime Data Comparison Paper

I will be comparing the murder statics for 2012 between Augusta and Savannah. There
will comparisons to other crimes reported between the two as well. for Augusta for the
following months are as follows January- 5, February- 1, March- 3, April- 0, May-1,
June- 2, July- 2, August- 4, September- 0, October-3, November- 2, and December- 5.
The recorded murder count for Savannah is as follows January- 1, February- 2, March- 0,
April-2, May- 0, June- 3, July- 1, August- 2, September- 8, October- 3, November- 2, and
December- 0.
Comparing these two metropolitan cities against one another both cities have a highcrime problem. In 2012 Augusta recorded 88-rape cases and Savannah only reported 39.
The increase is double the rapes, and I think some rapes went unreported. Savannah
recorded 537 robberies, while Augusta had 546. The recorded totals for Savannah on
assaults were 474 while that almost doubled Augustas reported assaults of 246.
Savannah listed larceny at 6874 and motor vehicle theft at 759. The larceny total listed
for Augusta was 7543 and motor vehicle theft totals at 1189. The two metropolitan cities
were fairly close in the larceny department, but it seems Augusta has more motor vehicle
thefts than Savannah.
The crime index for Augusta is approximately 77% higher than the Georgia average,
and the Georgia crime index is approximately 16% higher than the National average.
Statistics used the information saying there are one in fifteen chances of becoming a
victim in Augusta. It says there are one in one hundred and fifty one chances of becoming
a victim of a violent crime in Augusta. Reports say there are a one in seventeen chance of
having property crime in Augusta. The Georgia violent crime rate spastics is 2% lower
than the National average, but Augusta has a 75% higher than the Georgia average.

Crime Data Comparison Paper

Reference:
Retrieved from: https://gbi.georgia.gov/gbi-crime-statistics-database
Retrieved from: http://www.areavibes.com/augusta-ga/demographics/
Retrieved from: http://www.seda.org/savannah/90/demographicspopulation/population.html
Retrieved from: http://www.city-data.com/city/Savannah-Georgia.html
Retrieved from: http://www.city-data.com/city/Savannah-Georgia.html#ixzz37sdQ46Ay
Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/
Retrieved from: Schmalleger, F. (2012). Criminology today: An integrative introduction.
(6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.