Arkansas in 1987: Crime on the Rise

In 1987, Arkansas saw its highest reported violent crime rate per 100,000 inhabitants since the FBI launched its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program in 1930. The state’s violent crime rate skyrocketed, with a notable increase in aggravated assaults, burglaries, and larcenies.

Nationally, 1987 marked the beginning of a decade-long surge in violent crime, which would continue to rise throughout the 1990s. The FBI UCR program reported a 5% increase in violent crime rates across the United States that year, with property crime rates also on the rise. Arkansas was not an outlier; it was part of a larger trend that saw cities and states across the country grappling with rising crime rates.

The 1980s were characterized by the crack epidemic, which fueled violent crime and gang activity. The economic downturn of the late 1980s also contributed to rising crime rates, as poverty and unemployment increased. In Arkansas, the state’s economy was still reeling from the decline of the manufacturing sector and the agricultural industry’s struggles with drought and low commodity prices.

The FBI UCR program collected data from law enforcement agencies across the United States, providing a comprehensive picture of crime trends nationwide. In 1987, Arkansas reported a total of 7,433 violent crimes, including 23 murders and non-negligent manslaughters, 2,341 aggravated assaults, and 4,069 simple assaults. Property crime rates also increased, with 34,469 burglaries and 93,411 larcenies reported statewide.

As crime rates continued to rise in the late 1980s, law enforcement agencies in Arkansas turned to innovative strategies to combat the problem. Community policing initiatives and partnerships with local social service agencies became increasingly important as officials sought to address the root causes of crime. While Arkansas faced significant challenges in the late 1980s, its law enforcement agencies remained committed to keeping their communities safe and working to reduce crime rates.