more crime stats: murder and marijuana

the FBI reported today that the murder rate is at lowest level in 40 years. actually crime is down in all major categories except rape.

i would be curious to know about the murder rate locally, here in hampton roads. it seems that we've had more this summer than ever before. [aside from the fact that this new UCR is 2004 data.]

also, i had started writing about this when i read talkleft's post.

Marijuana arrests set a new record in 2004, totaling 771,605. Eighty-nine percent of these arrests were for marijuana possession, not sale or manufacture. In contrast, arrests for all violent crimes combined totaled 590,258—a decline from 2003.

i think it's scary that there's more arrests for marijuana possession than for violent crime. what are our priorities, exactly? it's important to remember that the UCR reports arrest data, crimes that are known to the police. police behavior. it doesn't necessarily mean that crime isn't happening.