In 2020, the U.S. experienced a 5% increase in its violent crime rate, measured by the number of rapes, robberies, severe assaults, and murders per 100,000 people annually. Disturbingly, the number of murders and aggravated assaults also rose, with homicides skyrocketing by an astounding 29%. Sadly, this made 2020 the deadliest year in the United States since the mid-1990s.
While the number of murders reached an all-time high in 2020, the overall violent crime rate is still relatively low when compared to past years. Last year, there were a total of 1.3 million serious crimes committed in the United States, which equates to 399 crimes per 100,000 individuals. To put this into perspective, during the 1990s, the rate of serious crime ranged from 523 to 758 crimes per 100,000 people.
Crime is a complex problem that is influenced by various factors. This means that the level of violent crime in the United States can vary significantly from one neighborhood to another. In certain metropolitan areas, the incidence of violent crime is much higher than it was during the peak periods of decades ago.
According to recent statistics, Anchorage, Alaska is currently ranked as the third most perilous metropolitan area in the United States, as well as the most hazardous city in the Western United States. Despite the fact that serious crime rates are decreasing by 1.9% every year, Anchorage still recorded 3,576 violent crimes in the year 2020, equivalent to approximately 1,171 incidents per 100,000 individuals. This is an alarming figure that is almost three times higher than the national violent crime rate.
According to a police spokesman, there has been a significant decrease in the murder rate in Anchorage. The numbers dropped from 34 in 2019 to 18 in 2020, which is a remarkable deviation from the rest of the country. The police attribute most of the murders in the metropolitan area to domestic violence while drugs are becoming an increasingly contributing factor.
The number of serious crimes in various metro areas is ranked based on the 2020 Uniform Crime Report by the FBI. Moreover, the 2020 FBI UCR provides additional information regarding specific crimes. Poverty rates for a single year are provided by the 2019 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Why is Anchorage the Worst City in Alaska?
Violent Crimes
Anchorage is considered one of the top ten riskiest places in the US due to its high rate of serious crimes per capita. These crimes include violent acts such as murder, rape, and serious violence that cause harm to individuals. It’s important to note that stealing a pack of gum from a gas station is not considered a serious crime, but rather it’s the violent crimes that have a significant impact on people’s lives.
In recent years, Anchorage has experienced an increase in violent crimes involving guns, resulting in injuries and fatalities. However, when solely focusing on the statistics, Anchorage may not appear as hazardous as other cities like Memphis. In 2020, Memphis encountered over 18,000 serious crimes, whereas Anchorage had just over 3,500.
Bad Drivers
Anchorage has recently been included in a list of cities with the worst drivers. It’s not just violent people that you need to be careful of in Anchorage, but also the drivers. The city has a high population density, which contributes to the issue of bad driving.
Anchorage is a city that has its fair share of bad drivers, just like any other state. The majority of car accidents in Anchorage occur due to either drunk driving or speeding. Unfortunately, some individuals make the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated and then proceed to drive at excessive speeds. Such actions are a recipe for disaster and can have dire consequences.
Earthquakes
Located on the Gulf of Alaska, Anchorage lies in the southern part of Alaska and is situated right in the middle of the “Ring of Fire,” which is the epicenter of earthquakes. Due to the convergence of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates in this region, earthquakes occur here on a daily basis.
While many earthquakes may have magnitudes less than 2.0, Anchorage has experienced more significant earthquakes in the past. In 2018, the city was rocked by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake, accompanied by 5.7-magnitude aftershocks – a powerful event for a densely populated urban area.
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