Miami, Aug 12 (EFE).- Violent crime rates in major U.S. cities during the first half of this year have decreased compared to the same period last year, a rate that continues the downward trend observed over the past 50 years, the Department of Justice said Monday.
A preliminary report by the Major City Chiefs Association (MCCA) in the United States shows that in the first six months of the year, violent crimes, which include homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assault, fell by 6% in 69 cities across the country.
In the case of homicides in particular, the reduction in the 69 cities studied reaches 17% compared to the first half of 2023, a figure that follows in the wake of “the historic drop in homicides across the country last year and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years,” as US Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed today.
The report shows that among the cities where violent crime has declined the most are Columbus, Ohio, with 41%, and Omaha, Nebraska, with 30%. Miami and Washington DC have also seen significant declines, both 29%, although homicides have increased in the former.
When it comes to homicides, Boston leads the list with the largest decline, 78 percent, followed by Philadelphia, with 42 percent, according to MCCA statistics, which do not include New York City.
Garland said the figures show the fruits of the “ambitious strategy” that the department he heads launched more than three years ago to combat violent crime, which was based on strengthening its ties with other federal agencies, as well as with state and local authorities.
“But our message remains clear: we will not rest until every person and every community is safe from violent crime,” he added.
Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, as well as other leaders of this party, have pointed out on more than one occasion that the United States is experiencing a rise in crime and have blamed the administration of the current president, Democrat Joe Biden, for this.
Earlier Monday, the Trump campaign said that according to the report in question, in certain cities some violent crimes have decreased so far this year; however, “violent crimes are still WAY UP compared to 2019 under President Trump,” they said in a statement.
For its part, the campaign office of Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris also referred today to this report, which reveals “record declines” in crime in the country, with a homicide rate “on track to record the largest decline in history.”
They also highlighted the five consecutive months in which border crossings have decreased, “falling 55% from the peak, and reaching the lowest levels since the fall of 2020.”
(c) EFE Agency
