Wade on Birmingham

EXCLUSIVE – Crime Watch: Birmingham climbs to No. 7 in crime rate ranking

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Despite drop in major crimes, city jumps from eighth place in 2008

Birmingham may be seeing welcome relief when it comes to crime, but not enough to sway its ranking in the CQ Press’ annual city crime rankings released today. The city again made the Top 10, placing at No. 7.

Wade on Birmingham - Crime WatchIn 2008, the city ranked eighth, and in 2007 and 2006, it placed sixth.

Last week, Birmingham reported a 12 percent drop in major crime in 2009, including a 25 percent drop in homicides.

The Washington-based publisher used crime data reported to the FBI in six areas: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. In previous years, CQ Press referred to the rankings as the “Most Dangerous Cities” list, but dropped the designation this year.

Other Alabama cities ranked:

95. Huntsville
136. Mobile
140. Tuscaloosa
152. Montgomery

Camden, N.J. topped that list.

In the list of 2009 Metropolitan Crime Rate Rankings, Birmingham-Hoover came in at No. 21. Also on that list from Alabama:

11. Columbus, GA-AL
20. Mobile
64. Tuscaloosa
101. Montgomery
123. Huntsville
141. Gadsden
159. Dothan

Pine Bluff, Ark., is No. 1 on the list.

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Crime Watch: Major crimes in Birmingham drop 12 percent in 2009

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

One bright spot in the turmoil that is Birmingham? Crime is down 12 percent in the first three quarters of this year, including a 25 percent drop in homicides.

Wade on Birmingham - Crime WatchBirmingham police chief A.C. Roper said, “We’ve experienced a double digit decrease in major crimes this year in spite of a bad economy,” crediting community support and his officers for the results.

So far, Birmingham has had 62 homicides to date this year, compared to 78 by this point in 2008. But will the drop in crime be enough to change the city’s Top 10 ranking among America’s most dangerous cities?

We’ll find out Monday.

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Visit our Crime Watch page.

Crime Watch: Birmingham No. 8 on Most Dangerous Cities list

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Down from No. 6 last year

Birmingham remains in the Top 10 cities in major crime, according to Washington-based CQ Press. The city ranked No. 8 on the Most Dangerous Cities list for 2008, while Alabama ranked No. 15 among most dangerous states. The list came out Monday.

Wade on Birmingham - Crime WatchBirmingham-Hoover is No. 31 among most dangerous metropolitan areas.

The publisher used crime data reported to the FBI in six areas: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. For more, see “City Crime Rankings 2008-2009.”

Other Alabama cities ranked:

83. Huntsville
90. Montgomery
131. Tuscaloosa
156. Mobile

New Orleans is No. 1 on the list.

Birmingham has 79 homicides to date this year, compared to 93 for 2007.

For more, see “Birmingham Ranked 8th Most Dangerous City.”

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Visit our Crime Watch page.