Just How Bad Is Crime in Louisiana?

In 2010, LPB's monthly public affairs program, Louisiana Public Square, did a comprehensive special on the staggering crime rate in Louisiana and, most specifically, Baton Rouge (their findings were published in a report titled "Combating Crime in Louisiana"). The program covered what local government and law enforcement, along with average citizens, were doing to stem the tide.

It's a tide that needs stemming.  A 2008 Wikipedia entry on Crime in Louisiana stated:

Louisiana by far is the worst state for lethal violence. Its per capita murder rate has led all states annually for 22 consecutive years (1989–2010) according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. 

That was in 2008; surely things have improved, right?

Yes and no.  While overall crime - specifically violent crime - has seen a slight downward trend in Louisiana, the state continues to rank as one of the highest crime-rated states in the U.S.

In Baton Rouge, specifically, things are still far from "safe".  NeighborhoodScout gives Baton Rouge a score of 3 out of 100 (with 100 being the safest).  It goes on (emphasis mine):

With a crime rate of 67 per one thousand residents, Baton Rouge has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 15. Within Louisiana, more than 92% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Baton Rouge. 

In February 2012, the Baton Rouge Police Department issued their 2011 Crime Statistics.  While violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, assault) has declined by 2.6%, crimes against property (burglary, larceny, arson, motor vehicle theft) were up 1.6%.  NeighborhoodScout goes on (emphasis mine):

...a lot of the crime that takes place in Baton Rouge is property crime. Property crimes that are tracked for this analysis are burglary, larceny over fifty dollars, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In Baton Rouge, your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime is one in 18, which is a rate of 56 per one thousand population.

It is encouraging that our government and law enforcement officials are aware of this problem and are working together to try and make our state a safer place, but it is important that each of us takes the necessary steps to keep our home and property, and especially our loved ones, safe.  Visit Crime in America's informative post "Crime Prevention Tips That Work - Keeping You and Your Family Safe" for advice and tips on doing just that.  To view the full Louisiana Public Square broadcast "Combating Crime in Louisiana", click here.

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