Missouri in 1985: Crime on the Rise

Missouri in 1985 was a state grappling with a surge in violent crime, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. The most striking trend was the steady increase in murder and non-negligent manslaughter rates, which left law enforcement scrambling to keep up with the escalating violence.

The national crime picture in 1985 was marked by a growing concern over violent crime, fueled by high-profile cases like the Tylenol poisonings and the murder of a young woman in a New York City subway tunnel. As a result, the UCR program reported a 5.4% increase in violent crime nationwide, with murder and non-negligent manslaughter rates rising by 10.3%. Missouri’s numbers mirrored this trend, with a 12.5% increase in murder rates compared to the previous year.

Missouri’s crime landscape in 1985 was also characterized by a significant rise in property crime, with burglaries and larceny-thefts on the rise. According to the UCR program, property crime rates nationwide increased by 9.4%, with burglaries up 11.8% and larceny-thefts rising by 10.3%. Missouri’s property crime rates also showed a notable increase, with burglaries rising by 15.6% and larceny-thefts increasing by 12.1%.

The social and economic context of Missouri in 1985 played a significant role in shaping the state’s crime landscape. The late 1980s were marked by a period of economic stagnation, with high unemployment and poverty rates contributing to social unrest and crime. Additionally, the crack cocaine epidemic was beginning to take hold, with Missouri seeing a surge in cocaine-related crimes, including trafficking and possession.

As the crime situation in Missouri continued to deteriorate, law enforcement agencies were under pressure to respond effectively. In 1985, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a significant increase in arrests for violent crimes, with a 14.2% rise in murder arrests and a 12.5% increase in aggravated assault arrests. While these numbers offered some hope, the overall trend in Missouri’s crime rates suggested that a more comprehensive approach was needed to address the root causes of the violence and property crime plaguing the state.