If not the economy, then what is the cause?

It has been agreed among criminologists that there was a connection between crime and the economy.

But if one accepts that as true, how can you explain that violent crime has fallen in the major cities?

Looking at data from years past, summer also brought an upsurge in crime.

Reading the article I couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't the economy, albeit from a different perspective.

With a large percentage of people unemployed, you obviously have more folks at home which means more eyes, intentionally or not, keeping a look-out. Add in the fact that those who are unemployed have fewer valuable possession. There has been a reported rise in domestic violence and the tie-in to the economy continues to be upheld in this category of violent crime.

In suburban Washington, DC and the district itself, community policing seems to be paying off since tips have risen noticeably. Technology and JIT (just in time) information also gets credit for police's being able to quickly arrive at a crime scene and use databases to locate those in the area who are on parole for example.

Although most major cities are reporting drops in violent crime, Dallas and Baltimore have seen an upswing.

Whatever the reason for the drop in D.C. and other areas, let's hope it continues. It is troublesome to consider that many cities are cutting police budgets and not filling all openings which could result in less community police and less technology use and more crime.