42°Quick links: Valentine photo contest • Washington Legislature • Idaho Legislature • Gonzaga hoops • WSU hoops
Crime in Spokane is keeping police busy. But it’s also got the Lilac City on the list of most dangerous locations in the United States. Spokane ranks 121st on the list which uses F.B.I. statistics on murder, rape, robbery, assault, and vehicle theft. Camden, New Jersey took the top spot. Tacoma came in 34th, Seattle ranked 183rd, and Spokane Valley took the 261st spot/KREM2.
Question: Are you surprised that the FBI considers Spokane considerably more dangerous than Seattle?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201
P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210
Main switchboard: (509) 459-5000 • (800) 338-8801
Newsroom: (509) 459-5400 • (800) 789-0029
Customer service: (800) 338-8801
© Copyright 2010, The Spokesman-Review
fortboise on November 24 at 3:45 p.m.
I looked at the KREM2 story, and couldn't see anything useful. I looked up the data from the FBI, and their web path presents a disclaimer long before you get to any stats. Worth reiterating here:
“Caution Against Ranking
“Each year when Crime in the United States is published, some entities use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction. The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing statistical data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment.”
Flag as inappropriate
fortboise on November 24 at 3:50 p.m.
Now then. The data on the “most dangerous” places is also the data on the “least dangerous” ones. Or neither, really — it's *crime* data.
I didn't find what KREM based their useless snippet on, but I did look at “Table 8” with more than 8,000 cities and data for population, violent and property crime (for 2008). I found that Spokane is 104th in population, 111th in violent crime and 87 in property crime in absolute numbers.
Using per capita numbers, Spokane is down around 1,000 for both types. Didn't bother checking Seattle.
Hours of fun for those with a statistical bent. And here, I've already done way more than KREM did. Very weak “news” story there.
Flag as inappropriate
Fixer on November 24 at 4:23 p.m.
After seeing the article's header, I was looking forward to a good scare. Unfortunately, you've ruined it by interjecting facts into an otherwise great story.
I wonder if the FBI statistics include crimes perpetrated by local law enforcement.
Flag as inappropriate
Cindy H on November 24 at 5:10 p.m.
Fixer made me smile :-)
Flag as inappropriate
Lewis on November 24 at 11:20 p.m.
heck yes Spokane is dangerous a person can get murdered just going into a store to buy a candy bar. We have the blue uniform gang here other wise known as the SPD
Flag as inappropriate