|
City-Wide
Crime Statistics
|
On
August 9, 2005, the Fort Worth Police Department implemented
a new Records Management system. At this same time, the
department started collecting and reporting crime using
the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) method,
instead of the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) method. The
change is in response to a federal initiative to encourage
all departments to provide better data for comparison and
statistical purposes.
The
new reporting system represents a complete change from previous
years in the way that crime data is prepared.
|
| |
DEFINITIONS
OF PART 1 OFFENSES |
Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) is a city, county, and state law enforcement
program. It provides a nationwide view of crime based on the submission
of statistics by law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
The crime data are submitted either to a state UCR program or directly
to the national UCR program which is administered by the FBI.
Because
of their seriousness and frequency of occurrence, seven offenses---murder,
forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft,
and motor vehicle theft---were initially chosen to comprise a Crime
Index and are known as Part 1 crimes. The offenses of murder, rape,
robbery, and aggravated assault are crimes against persons. Burglary,
larceny-theft, and auto theft are crimes against property. Arson
was added later and, in Fort Worth, is reported by the Fire Department.
The Part 1
Crimes are defined in Crime in the United States, 1997 as:
Criminal
homicide (Murder).
The willful (non negligent) killing of one human being by another.
Traffic fatalities are excluded.
Forcible
rape.
The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.
Assaults or attempts to commit rape by force or threat of force
are also included; however, statutory rape (without force) and other
sex offenses are excluded.
Robbery.
The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care,
custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of
force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
Aggravated
assault. An unlawful attack by one person upon another
for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury.
This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon
or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
Burglary-breaking
or entering. The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony
or a theft. The use of force to gain entry is not required to classify
an offense as burglary.
Larceny-theft
(except motor vehicle theft). The unlawful taking,
carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession
or constructive possession of another. Examples are thefts of bicycles
or automobile accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, or the stealing
of any property or article which is not taken by force and violence
or by fraud. Attempted larcenies are included. Embezzlement, "con"
games, forgery, worthless checks, etc., are excluded.
Motor
vehicle theft. The theft or attempted theft
of a motor vehicle. This offense category includes the stealing
of automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, snowmobiles,
etc. The definition excludes the taking of a motor vehicle for temporary
use by those persons having lawful access.
|
|
|
