Oklahoma 2020 Crime Wave Hits Record Highs

Oklahoma’s violent crime rate skyrocketed in 2020, shattering decades-old records. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the state saw a 10.6% increase in violent crimes compared to the previous year. This alarming trend was part of a broader national surge in violent crime, with the U.S. experiencing a 5.6% rise in homicides, the largest single-year increase since 1968.

In Oklahoma, the UCR program reported 571.6 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, a staggering 20.6% increase from the 2019 rate. The state’s murder and non-negligent manslaughter rate jumped by 22.2%, with 6.4 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest rate since 1968. Aggravated assault rates also skyrocketed, with a 19.1% increase, accounting for nearly 50% of all violent crimes in the state.

Nationwide, the pandemic-driven economic downturn and civil unrest contributed to the spike in violent crime, with many experts attributing the trend to long-standing social issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to mental health resources. Oklahoma, in particular, struggled with high rates of poverty and unemployment, further exacerbating the problem.

The 2020 crime wave in Oklahoma was not limited to violent offenses. Property crimes, such as burglary and larceny-theft, also saw significant increases, with a 7.5% and 9.2% rise, respectively. The UCR program reported 2,514.8 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, a 10.6% increase from the previous year.

As Oklahoma and the nation grapple with the root causes of the 2020 crime wave, law enforcement agencies and policymakers must confront the harsh reality that decades-old approaches to crime prevention and justice are no longer effective. The grim statistics from 2020 serve as a stark reminder of the need for innovative solutions to address the complex social issues driving the surge in violent crime.