NCJ Number
73475
Date Published
1978
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This report analyzes statistics on homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft reported to the 49 Atlanta Region law enforcement agencies in 1977.
Abstract
Prepared for information and planning purposes, the study considered only Index crimes because statistics on these offenses were the most complete and reliable. When local law enforcement agencies were unable to provide information, data from the Georgia Crime Information Center were used. For the first time since this survey was initiated in 1973, the total number of index crimes reported in the seven county region declined. Although total crime decreased 9.6 percent between 1976 and 1977, this was not consistent with a 10-year trend of steadily increasing crime. A table demonstrates that statistics from the Atlanta Region compare favorably with the rest of Georgia, other southern States, and the United States as a whole. Data on reported index and violent crimes and trends are summarized for the following counties: Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnet, and Rockdale. Violent crimes decreased 3 percent and property crimes went down 10.4 percent. The numbers of both types of offenses, the annual rates of change, and the rate per 1,000 population are presented in tables. Trends and projections for 1978 are discussed separately for homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Only homicides, rapes, and robberies increased during 1977. The overall reported clearance rate for the Atlanta Region was 27.3 percent, an increase of 6.5 percent above 1976. However, clearances for violent crime dropped slightly, principally due to rates for aggravated assault. Clearance rates for each type of offense are indicated, followed by a table comparing clearance statistics for 1973 through 1977. Data on juvenile arrests show that this age group accounted for 9.8 percent of violent crime clearances, 28.8 percent of property crime clearances, and 34 percent of all burglary arrests. Tables and graphs are used throughout the report.