The Nation : Serious Crime Up for 3rd Straight Year

The number of serious crimes reported to police rose in 1987 for the third straight year and was up in all regions of the country except the West, the FBI reported. Nationally, the 2% rise in 1987 followed increases of 5% in 1985 and 6% in 1986. Violent crimes declined 1% while property crimes were up 2%. Crimes showed a 1% increase in the Midwest, 3% in the Northeast and 4% in the South. The West experienced the only decrease--1%. The number of aggravated assaults rose 2% while larcenies rose 3% and motor vehicle thefts rose 5%. Those offenses usually account for about 70% of major crimes. The number of murders reported to police fell 4%, forcible rapes dropped 1%, robberies 5%, burglaries 1% and arsons 5%. Many researchers forecast an increase in crime in coming years as young people in increasing numbers move into the most crime-prone age group of 15 to 24.