Jeffrey A. Butts (2007). Violent Crime in American Cities 1986-2006. Presented at the Congressional Crime Summit, “Violent Crime — Prevention and Solutions from the Experts,” June 22, 2007. Hosted by Representative Robert C. Scott, Chairman, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. House Judiciary Committee, Congress of the United States.

Being concerned about violent crime is always reasonable, but recent reports of mounting violence have been exaggerated. In most U.S. cities today, crime rates are similar to the levels of 2003 and 2004 when the nation was benefiting from the lowest violent crime rates in more than 10 years.