Indiana 2019: Crime on the Rise

In 2019, Indiana saw a notable increase in crime rates, bucking the national trend. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the Hoosier state reported a 4.6% rise in overall crime, outpacing the national average of 3.1%.

At the heart of this increase were property crimes, which surged by 5.4% statewide, with burglaries and larcenies driving the uptick. Meanwhile, violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, rose by 3.2%. The increase in violent crimes was largely driven by a 4.5% rise in aggravated assaults.

Nationally, the UCR program reported a mixed bag in 2019. Violent crimes were up 3.4%, while property crimes declined by 2.2%. This shift marked a departure from previous years, where property crimes consistently outpaced violent crimes. The FBI attributed the increase in violent crimes to a range of factors, including rising gang activity and social unrest.

Indiana’s crime landscape in 2019 was marked by a growing concern over opioid-facilitated crimes. As the opioid epidemic continued to ravage the state, law enforcement agencies reported a significant spike in crimes related to the illicit drug trade. This includes increased rates of theft, burglary, and robbery, as individuals turned to crime to support their addiction.

The FBI’s UCR program has been collecting crime data from law enforcement agencies across the country since 1930. The program provides a comprehensive picture of crime trends and patterns, allowing policymakers and law enforcement officials to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted strategies to reduce crime. In Indiana, the data highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing crime, one that addresses the root causes of property and violent crimes, including poverty, addiction, and social inequality.