Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
EMBARGOED UNTIL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2004
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
AG
(202) 514-2008
TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT ON THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION SURVEY STATISTICS


“With violent crime stabilized at its lowest level since 1973, Americans across our nation are safer and have the freedom to live their lives without fear of becoming victims of crime. During 2003, the violent and property crime rates in our country remained at their lowest levels in 30 years. In 2002 and 2003, the violent crime rate fell 14% from the previous two-year period.

“As the Bush Administration is prosecuting record numbers of gun crimes through programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods, we are reducing the number of gun-toting criminals on the streets and keeping gun crimes down. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that only 7% of all violent crimes in 2003 were committed with a firearm, a decrease from 11% in 1993, and that the per capita rate of non-lethal firearm violence was only 1.9 per 1,000 persons, a two-thirds reduction over 10 years.

“The Bureau also found that during 2002 and 2003, there was an 11% drop in rapes and a 27% drop in sexual assaults from the previous two-year period. Robberies were down 21%, aggravated assaults were down 20%, and simple assaults down 11% in that same period. Thanks to the hard work of law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and corrections officers, law-abiding Americans are enjoying unprecedented safety. While the crime rate remains at a 30-year low, we renew our firm commitment to preventing crime, making our communities safer, and holding accountable those who violate our laws.”

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