Pandemic Surge: U.S. Cities See 15% Rise in Murders in Early 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic Sparks Increase in Gun Violence and Murders Across U.S.
According to 24/7 Wall St, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in gun violence and murders in many U.S. cities. Nationwide, murders increased by nearly 15% in the first half of 2020. The FBI monitored 59 cities and reported a 28% jump in murders from January to July 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
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Violent Crime Rates Had Been Decreasing for Four Years Before 2020
This rise in crime is surprising because violent crime has been going down for four years in a row. In 2019, there were 367 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the U.S., which was the lowest rate since 2014. This is much lower than in the early 1990s when violent crime rates were over 750 per 100,000 people.
Petersburg’s Violent Crime Rate More Than Double the National Average
Violent crime includes murder, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault. In Petersburg, Virginia, violent crime happens more than twice as often as the national average. In 2019, there were 234 violent crimes in Petersburg, which is 748 for every 100,000 people. This makes Petersburg one of the top 10% most violent cities in the U.S., ranking 323rd out of 4,473 cities.
Virginia is Generally Safer Than the National Average, Except for Petersburg
Virginia, overall, is safer than the national average. The state had 208 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in 2019, making it the 6th lowest in the country. However, within Virginia, Petersburg is a hot spot for violent crime, ranking second among cities with at least 5,000 people.
High Murder Rate Sets Petersburg Apart From National Averages
Murder is the most serious violent crime. In 2019, Petersburg, a city with about 31,300 people, had 19 murders. This is a rate of 61 murders per 100,000 people, which is much higher than the national rate of five per 100,000 people.
Petersburg’s Crime Rate Doesn’t Align With Its Lower Poverty Rate
Usually, areas with more poverty have higher crime rates. But in Petersburg, the high violent crime rate does not match the poverty rate. About 10.9% of people in Petersburg live in poverty, which is lower than the national rate of 14.1%.
Detailed Crime Reports Shed Light on Petersburg’s High Crime Rates
To understand crime in Petersburg better, it’s important to look at more than just violent crimes. 24/7 Wall St. has made detailed reports with data for over 4,000 cities and all 50 states. These reports help show why places like Petersburg have high crime rates.
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