What causes murders and aggravated assaults? And what are the REAL numbers involve crime in America?

This is the tenth in a series offering data from the FBI’s latest crime reports based on crimes reported to law enforcement. The first was Locations Of Violent Crime-Where Crime Happens.  The second was The Time Of Day For Violent And Property Crimes. The third was Violent Crime Totals By State. The fourth was Violent Crime Victims By Race And Ethnicity-Who’s Victimized Most? The fifth was Are Females Violently Victimized More Than Males? The sixth is Most People Are Violently Victimized By Family Members Or People They Know. The seventh is 10 Percent Of Violent Victimizations Involved A Firearm-Weapons Used During Crime. The eighth is Most Crimes Are Not Solved-Why? The ninth is 250,000 Attempted But Failed Property Crimes Per The FBI-Reasons Why.

Most Crimes Are Not Reported

Per the National Crime Victimization Survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the US Department of Justice, only 42 percent of violent crimes are reported to law enforcement.

Thirty-two percent of property crimes are reported.

Nevertheless, the numbers below from the FBI are some of the best indicators we have regarding the total number of “reported” crimes and the characteristics of those crimes.

Don’t get involved in arguments, the main cause of homicides and aggravated assaults. This seems to be the lesson of the latest data provided by the FBI based on crimes reported to law enforcement. Considering that it’s common for most people arrested to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the importance that mental health plays within the offender population, avoid arguments.

I was at a wedding on a beach in Florida when a group of people refused to move a couple of feet so the wedding party could get unobstructed photos. As we were leaving the event, the offending group walked by and a family member decided to express her displeasure. An argument ensued in the presence of my grandson. I put an immediate stop to the exchange; I was not about to risk the safety of my young grandson.

It’s also common for potential combatants to know each other and grudges play a role along with ineberation. Gang violence is often influenced by disrespect via social media.

In the list below, arguments are the number one cause of homicides and aggravated assaults. But like other FBI data, findings are complex based on the number of “other circumstances” and “unknown circumstances.”

Domestic violence is the second largest circumstance with assaults on law enforcement officers third.

Per assaults on law enforcement, (third largest circumstance) there were close to 20,000 aggravated assaults (usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm per the FBI). There were 75 police officer homicides.

Per another source, a total of 331 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty during 2022 in 267 separate shooting incidents, including 42 incidents where multiple officers were shot.

“Other felonies” was the fourth major category. The FBI does not have a specific legal definition of “other felonies.”



Conclusions

One of the reasons I don’t watch television shows examining violent crime is because the incidents they portray rarely match the data.

We live in a world of intoxicated-drug induced people and many have mental health issues. Most victims know their offenders. Most take place in a residential setting.

In television shows or movies, it’s common for the offended male to stand up to those threatening him or his associates.

If I’m threatened, I’m removing myself from the situation short of a credible and obvious threat to a loved one or friend. S___ gets hazardous quickly. Your life and the well-being of those you love are not worth an argument with an intoxicated butthole, possibly with mental health or emotional issues.