We're # 1, finally getting some respect...

[midtnvol]

http://www.today.com/video/today/53207707?from=en-us_msnhp#53207707

[Black Diamond Vol]

Thank you, Memphis.

[GreggO]

   I don't believe that for one minute! How can states like Arizona, California, & New York NOT make the top ten? Look at the western states that border Mexico and all the talk about the cartel violence spilling over into those states. Those folks put Nevada second? Hell, half the state belongs to the federal government and nearly the rest is desert or rugged mountains. Ridiculous!


G

[RIPLEYVOL]

I can believe every bit of it with Memphis being in the state!  Armpit of the country!

[Creek Walker]

   I don't believe that for one minute! How can states like Arizona, California, & New York NOT make the top ten? Look at the western states that border Mexico and all the talk about the cartel violence spilling over into those states. Those folks put Nevada second? Hell, half the state belongs to the federal government and nearly the rest is desert or rugged mountains. Ridiculous!


G

I wrote a story years ago entitled, "This ain't no utopia." The bottom line was that I did a rather extensive review of violent crime rates and rates of property crimes in many Tennessee towns and compared them to major U.S. cities like NYC and Tennessee's crime rate is in fact higher. Crime rates in NYC and most major California cities are actually quite low, especially compared to cities like Los Vegas, Atlanta, Chicago, D.C., etc.

[BanditVol]

   I don't believe that for one minute! How can states like Arizona, California, & New York NOT make the top ten? Look at the western states that border Mexico and all the talk about the cartel violence spilling over into those states. Those folks put Nevada second? Hell, half the state belongs to the federal government and nearly the rest is desert or rugged mountains. Ridiculous!


G

Vegas more than makes up for that...

[GreggO]

I wrote a story years ago entitled, "This ain't no utopia." The bottom line was that I did a rather extensive review of violent crime rates and rates of property crimes in many Tennessee towns and compared them to major U.S. cities like NYC and Tennessee's crime rate is in fact higher. Crime rates in NYC and most major California cities are actually quite low, especially compared to cities like Los Vegas, Atlanta, Chicago, D.C., etc.

Well, what was the methodology of those statistics: crimes per capita? Number of felonies reported or misdomeanors included, too? Do the states reviewed have the same laws for marijuana; does possesion of an ounce in Tennessee and Oregon compare? Do the states compare to each other in the number of police officers per capita? Are traffic citations a "crime"? Do some states "over-report" crimes to qualify for grants? Do some states "under-report"? Do some states "look the other way" on some crimes where other don't?

All of the factors have to be answered in order to come up with even a good statistical base and I doubt that was done in this study. And I still don't believe for a minute Tennessee is tops here. I'd walk around without fear at night in most towns (except I accidently did that in south Philly one night; came out intact).

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but this doesn't even come close to make any sense at all to me. I just think all the crimes in Tennessee combined annually wouldn't top Chicago.

G

[Creek Walker]

Well, what was the methodology of those statistics: crimes per capita? Number of felonies reported or misdomeanors included, too? Do the states reviewed have the same laws for marijuana; does possesion of an ounce in Tennessee and Oregon compare? Do the states compare to each other in the number of police officers per capita? Are traffic citations a "crime"? Do some states "over-report" crimes to qualify for grants? Do some states "under-report"? Do some states "look the other way" on some crimes where other don't?

All of the factors have to be answered in order to come up with even a good statistical base and I doubt that was done in this study. And I still don't believe for a minute Tennessee is tops here. I'd walk around without fear at night in most towns (except I accidently did that in south Philly one night; came out intact).

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but this doesn't even come close to make any sense at all to me. I just think all the crimes in Tennessee combined annually wouldn't top Chicago.

G

My research ignored drug crimes altogether. It was strictly violent crimes — armed robbery, rape, murder, aggravated assault, etc. — and property crimes — burglary, theft. And, yes, it was all based on crimes per capita. The TBI puts out an excellent compilation of crimes in Tennessee each year. You can find last year's report here: http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/tn_crime_stats/publications/2012%20Crime%20in%20Tennessee%20Final.pdf

While Tennessee's murder rate has been in steady decline over the last 40 years, the rates for things like forcible rape, aggassault and violent crime in general have exploded. Last year, for example, Tennessee's violent crime rate was 643.6 per 100,000 capita. New York's was 406.8.

It is easy to manipulate statistics, but that's pretty much raw data. And while Memphis is much to blame, what might be surprising to a lot of folks is that even in small, rural communities (I used my hometown of Oneida), the crime rates are higher than a lot of America's larger cities. Obviously the murder rate is much lower, and when most people think of crime they think of homicides and children being forcibly abducted by strangers and things like that. But when you factor it all in — and this has nothing to do with traffic citations or simple possession of marijuana (or even felony possession) or anything like that — Tennessee's crime rates are quite high.

[GreggO]

My research ignored drug crimes altogether. It was strictly violent crimes — armed robbery, rape, murder, aggravated assault, etc. — and property crimes — burglary, theft. And, yes, it was all based on crimes per capita. The TBI puts out an excellent compilation of crimes in Tennessee each year. You can find last year's report here: http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/tn_crime_stats/publications/2012%20Crime%20in%20Tennessee%20Final.pdf

While Tennessee's murder rate has been in steady decline over the last 40 years, the rates for things like forcible rape, aggassault and violent crime in general have exploded. Last year, for example, Tennessee's violent crime rate was 643.6 per 100,000 capita. New York's was 406.8.

It is easy to manipulate statistics, but that's pretty much raw data. And while Memphis is much to blame, what might be surprising to a lot of folks is that even in small, rural communities (I used my hometown of Oneida), the crime rates are higher than a lot of America's larger cities. Obviously the murder rate is much lower, and when most people think of crime they think of homicides and children being forcibly abducted by strangers and things like that. But when you factor it all in — and this has nothing to do with traffic citations or simple possession of marijuana (or even felony possession) or anything like that — Tennessee's crime rates are quite high.

I have heard for a quite of few years that crime is rising fast in Scott County for the last 7 years or so. I've also heard it blamed on the 15+% unemployment rate, which I also don't buy (otherwise there would have been complete lawlessness during the depression).

I appreciate discussing this with you. As I said, I certainly wasn't trying to be argumentative. When something doesn't seem to make sense to me, my fisrt reaction is skeptisism. No way I was try to discredit you, my friend.


G

[Creek Walker]

I appreciate discussing this with you. As I said, I certainly wasn't trying to be argumentative. When something doesn't seem to make sense to me, my fisrt reaction is skeptisism. No way I was try to discredit you, my friend.


G

I never thought you were. I just like to talk. 

[PirateVOL]

I never thought you were. I just like to talk. 

Who knew?!?