The number of serious crimes reported to police in the United States continued to drop during the first six months of 1996, the FBI said last month, decreasing by 3 percent compared to the same period in 1995. If the preliminary figures hold final 1996 statistics will be released later this year it will mark the fifth consecutive annual downturn in crime. The FBI reported Jan 5 that violent crime murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault decreased by 5 percent. Property crime, which comprises burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft, dipped by 2 percent. |
