NCJ Number
83111
Date Published
Unknown
Length
244 pages
Annotation
This annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR) portrays the nature, volume, and extent of crime in Pennsylvania during 1978.
Abstract
There were, 820,624 crimes reported into the UCR program by Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies, an increase of 6.2 percent over last year. Crime Index Offenses are considered to be both most serious and most likely to be reported and are used nationally as the standard base for comparisons. They include murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft, In 1978, 370,600 Crime Index Offenses were reported and confirmed by police after investigation, representing a 1.1 percent increase over last year. In addition, 449,985 Part II Offenses were reported, constituting a gain of 11 percent over Part II Offenses reported last year. This year, 44.2 percent of all offenses were cleared (23.5 percent of the Crime Index Offenses and 61.1 percent of Part II Offenses). A total of 86.2 percent of the Crime Index Offenses and 85.2 percent of Part II Offenses occurred within Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's). The crime rate of core city jurisdictions in SMSA's continued to be much higher than the suburban jurisdictions. A total of 393,981 arrests were made, a 0.7 percent increase over 1977. Part II Offenses were 77.2 percent of all arrests, a 0.5 percent gain over last year, and Crime Index Offenses were 22.8 percent of all arrests, an increase of 1.6 percent over 1977. A total of 85.4 percent of arrestees were male, and 70.9 percent were white, 28.3 percent black, and 0.9 percent of other races. The proportion of arrestees under age 18 was 36.8 percent, and 70.2 percent were under age 25. Female arrestees decreased 3.8 percent; black arrestees decreased 5.4 percent; and arrests of juveniles decreased by 5.1 percent. Law enforcement employee data are also provided. Tabular and graphic data are presented. (Author summary modified)