This has certainly been a summer of increasing discontent. Climbing coronavirus numbers, widespread gun violence and protests nationwide compete for headlines every day. And we haven’t even mentioned the “great mask debate.”
In these strange times, crime rates continue to develop along with virus recommendations and restrictions. Crime, overall, has declined during the pandemic, but gun violence has seen a steady rise. Here are some nationwide crime trends worth considering:
Crime Trends
- A University of Pennsylvania professor who is tracking reported crimes during the COVID-19 outbreak found that reported crimes dropped an average of 23% across the 25 cities he’s monitoring, including Atlanta.
- Drug crimes saw the most dramatic drop—more than 63% compared to the past five years. (This may be largely due to police issuing citations for drug-related crimes instead of arrests so as not to overburden the jails.)
- Property crime dropped 19%, while violent crime dipped 15%.
- In the U.S., at least 160 people were killed and more than 500 were wounded by gun violence over the Fourth of July weekend.
- Some research suggests a link between pandemic-led surges in gun sales and the country’s ongoing rash of shooting incidents. Between March and May, there were 64% more guns sold in the US—that’s over 2 million more guns than were sold during the same months in previous years.
Today’s Biggest Threats (That Aren’t the Virus)
Property crime continues to be down in most places—especially acts against private residences. But the initial dip in violent crime has normalized across much of the country, particularly in cities already wracked by gun violence, and drugs continue to see those crimes proliferate regardless of the pandemic.
However, some new criminal activities are rearing their heads. Here are crimes that seem to be growing during the past six months of social distancing:
- Civil disobedience in the face of state and city restrictions
- Package theft
- Speeding
- Opioid abuse
- Assault on medical workers and law enforcement (usually through coughing, spitting, or sneezing)
Crimes that continue to be problematic during the pandemic:
- Burglary of commercial businesses left vacant
- Domestic and family violence
- Hate crimes
- Vehicle theft
- Financial scams
- Price gouging
Georgia On Our Minds
Here in Georgia, specifically, the full impact of the pandemic continues to unfold, and the justice system is not immune. With courts not fully operational, there remains a backlog of cases to be heard. However, people continue to be arrested and arraignments continue (at a slower pace), requiring bail bonds to secure release.
The bail bond industry continues to serve as an integral part of the criminal justice system by helping to ensure that defendants meet their obligations to appear in court. Remember, A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds operates 24/7 to assist clients prepare for their criminal defense from home instead of jail.
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