Ending violent crime must be higher priority Detroit News Editorial January 5, 2005

Violent crime Violent crime spiked in the first six months of 2005 in Detroit and some other Michigan cities, but short-term fluctuations may be an unfair barometer of a city's crime climate. Longer term, during the last 15 years, Detroit has made significant progress in cutting its violent crime rate and murder rate. But compared with other cities, Detroit violence and murder rates remain unacceptably high. In 2005, Detroit's 374 homicides amounted to more than 40 murders for every 100,000 residents. Baltimore had a similar murder rate, and New Orleans in the last few years has outpaced Detroit. But most larger cities had significantly lower murder rates last year. New York had about 7 murders for every 100,000 residents; Los Angeles had about 13, and Chicago had 15.

Economic Impacts of Crime Costs (What Society gives up!) Destruction of Human Life For example 375 deaths x earnings of $25,000 per person (probably conservative) lead to losses of $9.375 Million per year – EVERY YEAR Destruction of Property

Economic Impacts of Crime Transfers Stolen property goes from one person to another. It’s not strictly a cost, but … Locks, burglar alarms, Dobermans ARE a cost. Business that might come here may go somewhere else. Property values may go down here – up elsewhere.

Simple Analysis Values here Values there If land here becomes unattractive, due to crime, demand  here;  there! D S D D1 S D1 $V/acre It may be a transfer, but it’s definitely a cost to those who live in high crime areas! Land here Land there Difference Is related to Impact of crime