Violent crime drops in U.S.

WASHINGTON – Homicides fell 6.5 percent in America’s largest cities during the first half of 2007, a sharp contrast with smaller cities, where killings rose 3.2 percent, according to a preliminary review by the FBI.

Overall, homicides declined by 1 percent throughout the nation during the first half of 2007, the report released Monday showed. Violent crime fell by nearly 2 percent nationwide with drops in every major crime category – including rape, robbery and sexual assault – suggesting that some recent spikes in violence may be short-lived.

Some law enforcement experts say one reason for the disparity in homicide rates could be varying crime-fighting strategies, such as targeting juvenile offenders.

“There is continued volatility, but there are cities that have made (enforcement) changes that are having a significant impact,” says Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a national police advocacy group.

In cities with populations between 50,000 and 99,999, homicides rose 3.2 percent; in urban counties, they rose nearly 5 percent. The 6.5 percent drop in killings occurred in cities with populations of 1 million or more.

The FBI’s preliminary review follows two years in which the federal government recorded slight increases in violent crime nationwide.

In Seattle, Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske attributes a 12 percent decline in major crime in 2007, which includes all violent offenses, to a sharper focus on people who are returning to local communities from prison.

Kerlikowske says his officers and prison authorities are identifying offenders before they are released to more easily monitor their compliance with drug screening and other special conditions of release.