Crime rate level in 2000, ends 8-year decline

By Terry Frieden
CNN Justice Department Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The nation's overall crime rate for 2000 was virtually unchanged, ending eight years of sharp decline, according to newly released statistics.

The FBI's preliminary figures for last year show an increase of 0.1 percent in violent crimes and no change in property crimes from the previous year.

There were regional differences noted in violent crime. Murder decreased in the West by 3.9 percent and 2.3 percent in the Midwest. However, murder increased in the Northeast by 1.3 percent and in the South by 0.9 percent.

Overall crime statistics showed small declines in the Northeast and Midwest, while minor increases were reported in the West and South.

Final figures will be released this fall.

The preliminary figures for the full calendar year are in line with the FBI's statistics for the first six months of 2000 released in December, showing an apparent end to the historic drop in crime during the 1990s.

The FBI compiles crime figures reported by 17,000 city, county and state law enforcement agencies.