Miami, Florida is a city that has been plagued by relatively high crime rates for decades. The total crimes for the population is about one and a half times the national average for all crimes, but Miami residents are three times more likely to be the victims of violent crimes.
The violent crimes that drive up these statistics are murders, robberies, and aggravated assaults. Per 100,000 people, Miami experiences about 20 murders, compared to the national average of just seven. In 2006, the city had 77 murders. The rate of robberies in Miami is 537 per 100,000 residents, more than twice the average of 206. Aggravated assaults are nearly three times the national average: 927 versus 337 per 100,000.
Interestingly, there is one violent crime that does not fit in with the other statistics. The number of rapes reported in Miami is actually lower than the national average. It is not clear, however, if there are actually fewer rapes or if the crimes is reported less frequently in Miami compared to other cities.
Miami is also relatively less wealthy than many other cities. Poverty is a serious contributing factor for high crime rates and areas with more impoverished residents are likely to see more frequent violence and drug crimes, in particular. With the economic downturn in full force, it is likely that the Miami police department will post increases in their crime statistics from 2008 to 2009. As unemployment rises, crime rates tend to climb as well. Families tend to have less money to spend and, without work to occupy some people, they turn to criminal activity.
All in all, Miami is more dangerous than many other cities. The city of Miami Gardens was ranked as the thirteenth most dangerous city with a population in excess of 75,000 in the United States for 2008. No other Florida cities made the top 25. New Orleans is considered the most dangerous of all, followed by Camden, New Jersey.
The violent crimes that drive up these statistics are murders, robberies, and aggravated assaults. Per 100,000 people, Miami experiences about 20 murders, compared to the national average of just seven. In 2006, the city had 77 murders. The rate of robberies in Miami is 537 per 100,000 residents, more than twice the average of 206. Aggravated assaults are nearly three times the national average: 927 versus 337 per 100,000.
Interestingly, there is one violent crime that does not fit in with the other statistics. The number of rapes reported in Miami is actually lower than the national average. It is not clear, however, if there are actually fewer rapes or if the crimes is reported less frequently in Miami compared to other cities.
Miami is also relatively less wealthy than many other cities. Poverty is a serious contributing factor for high crime rates and areas with more impoverished residents are likely to see more frequent violence and drug crimes, in particular. With the economic downturn in full force, it is likely that the Miami police department will post increases in their crime statistics from 2008 to 2009. As unemployment rises, crime rates tend to climb as well. Families tend to have less money to spend and, without work to occupy some people, they turn to criminal activity.
All in all, Miami is more dangerous than many other cities. The city of Miami Gardens was ranked as the thirteenth most dangerous city with a population in excess of 75,000 in the United States for 2008. No other Florida cities made the top 25. New Orleans is considered the most dangerous of all, followed by Camden, New Jersey.
