5 Myths About Crime And Race In America

CRIME MYTHS DEBUNKED 1 MYTH BLACK-ON-BLACK CRIME IS UNIQUELY BAD REALITY Most crime is committed by people who know each other-it's as segregated as the rest of America. MOST 86% 94% MURDERS white victims were killed by white offenders black victims were killed by black offenders ARE INTRARACIAL Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics 2 MYTH VIOLENT CRIME IS ON THE RISE REALITY Crime is down sharply all over the country. 758 violent crime rate per 100,000 in the U.S. from 1991-2010 2010 VIOLENT CRIME TOTAL WAS 13% BELOW 507 479 THE 2006 LEVEL 404 Source: U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation 3 MYTH JUSTICE IS APPLIED EQUALLY REALITY Crime prevention and enforcement policies target people of color disproportionately. total black and BLACKS WERE white drug users ARRESTED ON DRUG 35% CHARGES 2.8 TO 5.5 black 13% drug TIMES HIGHER THAN users WHITES IN EVERY YEAR FROM 1980 drug arrests THROUGH 2007. Source: Targeting Blacks, Human Rights Watch 4 MYTH BLACK KIDS HAVE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS REALITY Black students are punished more harshly when committing the same offenses as white students. total students 35% 39% black 18% students suspended once expelled [white] [white] 42% 25% 35% 21% referred to law enforcement school-related arrests Source: U.S. Department of Education 5 MYTH CRIME IS PREVALENT IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY REALITY Most black youth aren't actually committing any crimes. demographics 6% 35% in a gang 74% black said there is high gang activity in neighborhood 47% male 17% average age: 17 in a crew 7% sold drugs stole more 6% than $100 in goods attacked 4% carried (11% someone with intent a gun COLORLINES.com Source: Distric of Columbia Crime Policy Institute, The Urban Institute youth behavior in student discipline rates in 2009-2010 drug arrests in 2006 1991 homicide rates Washington, D.C. from 1976 to 2005 0007