Violent Crime Statistics in Detroit

Feb 27, 2020, by Martin Drias in Criminal Defense, Legal Blog

Detroit has been named Michigan’s most dangerous city, according to statistics collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In terms of violent crimes, the city ranks near the top of the list nationally.

Drias Law Group possesses the knowledge and skills to help you if you have been charged with a violent crime. Martin Drias understands the seriousness of this kind of charge and will do his best to protect your rights and your future. He is a Detroit violent crimes lawyer with years of experience, so call (313) 944-0236 for a confidential consultation.

Violent Crimes Facts and Figures

In 2017, the most recent data available as of 2020, the city saw 13,796 total violent crimes. This is up from just under 12,000 in 2015, but close to 2014 reports that were close to 14,000. This equates to approximately 2,057 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in Detroit.

Detroit’s violent crime rate is higher than any other city in Michigan and nearly quadruple the statewide rate of 450 incidents per 100,000 people. The city reported 267 murders, which is 47% of all murders in the State of Michigan.

Detroit’s numbers are also much higher than nationwide numbers, which reported around 383 incidents of violent crime per 100,000 residents.

Why Is There So Much Violent Crime in Detroit?

Crime is often more common in locations where the economy is not as prosperous, like Detroit. The city’s annual unemployment rate is 9%, which is much higher than Michigan’s 4.1% unemployment rate. The unemployment rate of the United States in 2020 is only 3.5%.

The poverty rate in Detroit is 37.9%, more than double that of Michigan’s 15.6%.

Increased Police Presence to Combat Violent Crimes

While The Detroit News recently reported that the city’s murder rate did slightly increase in 2016 over 2015 (302 v. 295), the rate of other violent crimes like robberies and car jackings decreased. Furthermore, Michigan Radio (a division of National Public Radio) points to FBI statistics that show that Detroit actually has more police officers for every 10,000 people than other similarly sized Midwestern cities. While they average 29 cops per 10,000 people, Detroit actually has 33 officers. This allows them greater visibility in neighborhoods even as it promotes their communication and collaboration with the people who live in them.

Contact Drias Law Group for Help

Facing violent crime charges is serious and your future depends on your legal defense. You need a skilled attorney who is ready, willing, and able to defend you so that you receive the best possible representation you can from start to finish. Drias Law Group possesses the knowledge, talent, and passion to represent you and to protect your rights.