Violent crime down in U.S., murder up in Idaho
Some of the scariest things this Halloween may be a few numbers. According to an FBI report, violent crime is down across the nation, but in Idaho murder is way up.
The FBI’s new Crime in the US Report shows from 2010-2011 the gem state saw a 63 percent spike in the murder rate.
And it’s not a different story in east Idaho.
For example, the city of Pocatello averaged less than one murder a year over the last decade, and it’s the same story in Bonneville county.
But last year there were 3 homicides in Pocatello and another 5 in Bonneville county according to FBI numbers.
At least for some communities locally, 2012 is looking like it could be another bloody year.
“After 17 years as sheriff this year stands out as far as any year that I can remember of violent crimes,” Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielson said.
Just in Bannock County, the year has already brought murder, murder-suicide, and officer involved shootings.
Of course, just a year or two doesn’t mean too much. It could just be a statistical oddity, and likely not the start of a trend.
“I’m hoping it’s an anomaly and not a pattern,” Nielson said.
Aside from the strangely high murder rate, Idaho is looking safer than ever, at least statistically.
The FBI report shows the total violent crime rate dropped about nine percent last year.
In fact, it’s at the lowest level measured in more than thirty years.
