Why Reporting Crime Matters

reporting of crime

By Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D

“The cops won’t do anything anyway”, “There’s no chance I’ll get my stolen property back”, “I hate to bother the police, they have more important things to worry about”. Those are some of the many reasons crimes go unreported.

The crime rates that the average American hears about are based on the FBI’s collection of data from the majority of police agencies. Known as the Uniform Crime Report (UCR), the numbers are calculated from the National Incident-Based Reporting required of any police agency that has access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) which would include any agency that has a dispatch center to request criminal histories, search for stolen property, and other crime information. The FBI will release statistics gathered from 2021 in October of 2022, so every major annual release is data that is a year old. Mid-year reports are also released.

The release of these annual statistics is usually reported as a single statistic. While the CR collects data on a variety of criminal activity, the main group, known as Part I crimes, consists of murder, rape, robbery, assault, arson, car theft, burglary, and larceny. Most reports center on violent crimes. To look at drug offenses, domestic violence, hate crimes, or drunk driving, one has to look at Part II crimes. These offenses may be more relevant to the quality of life in a community, but don’t make the headlines as much as serious violent crimes.

One thing that those who study crime rates know is that many crimes go unreported. Researchers know this based on the National Crime Victim Survey (NCVS) which is conducted by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The NCVS is a survey taken of individuals and households asking about crime victimization. The comparison of what people report to the survey and what gets reported to police indicates how much criminal activity and victimization goes on without the knowledge of law enforcement.

We know that most larcenies (theft) go unreported, that many arsons go unrecognized, that sexual assaults are notoriously unreported, and that the incentive of insurance coverage causes car theft to be reported most of the time. Felony assaults often do not come to the attention of police, but most homicides do.

When a police agency has the confidence of the public, citizens are more likely to report criminal activity. The more that gets reported, the higher the percentage of crime that gets solved and property that gets recovered. Low solve rates can be discouraging to citizens, resulting in the unfortunate cycle of not reporting and poor solve rates. It should be noted that solving a crime, arresting a suspect, and convicting a suspect have different definitions. Even homicide offenses, which are given great resources, are solved at only about 50%, and many property crimes at less than 10%.

One thing criminologists know is that offenders, while sometimes specializing in certain criminal activities like burglary or fraud, offend in many categories whether that be driving offenses, wildlife violations, or other non-conforming behavior. Most crime is committed by relatively few members of society. This means that solving one crime can often lead to the solving of several crimes by a given offender. Therefore, having accurate reports from citizens of criminal activity can be of immense value to law enforcement.

With advances in DNA technology, more police agencies are making efforts to collect potential DNA evidence at property crime scenes. Identifying perpetrators of car break-ins and attempted burglaries can lead to the arrest of persons involved in other serious crimes. Reporting of suspicious persons and activities can help crime analysts spot trends and anticipate criminal activity as well as identify suspects. For example, most window peepers don’t become rapists, but most rapists have been involved in lesser deviant activity. When a suspicious person or trespasser gets identified, a past or future sexual assault may be solved or even prevented.

It may be tempting to just forget about a minor offense rather than report it, but the main way to effective law enforcement is citizen involvement. Even if it just means making an online report, or having a record at dispatch that you called, reporting that potted plant theft or broken shed latch might just be the clue needed to catch a criminal.

web analytics

Subscribe Now

Join Our Mailing List.

reporting of crime

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USAGov Logo

Report crime, find victim support, and get crime statistics

Learn where to report different types of crime. Find out where to get support if you experienced a crime, and get crime data for your area.

Report a crime

Find out who to contact to get immediate help in an emergency, file a police report, and report different types of crime.

Where to report scams

Use USA.gov’s scam reporting tool to identify a scam and help you find the right government agency or consumer organization to report it.

Find support if you experienced a crime

If you or someone you know survived a crime, find hotlines and services in your state where you can get counseling, seek shelter, and locate other types of support.

Find crime statistics

Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies collect data about crime. Find crime statistics around the U.S. using the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer.

Call or Text 1-855-484-2846

Chat Online

If you are in immediate danger, CALL 911.

Victim Connect Resource Center

VictimConnect lines may experience longer than usual wait times. Thank you for your patience with us. Anytime we are closed, or hard to reach, feel free to check out the Resource Map to locate service providers in your area (Select the "Resources" tab at the top of this page followed by "Victim Connect Resource Map"). More Info.

When victimization happens, it can be hard to know what to do first. Evaluating and deciding whether or not to report a crime is a big part of this. In some situations, it may not be safe to call 911 right away and it is important to know that you don’t have to call right away. While every state has different requirements for how much time can pass before a report must be filed, you can call to make a report when you feel ready and it is safe to do so.

There are different ways to report a crime. You should choose the option that is best for you. If you decide to report the crime to law enforcement, you can either call 911 or the non-emergency line. Some crimes, like human trafficking and financial fraud, can also be reported to other types of agencies.

You should call 911 if:

  • You are in immediate danger and/or a life threatening situation
  • You fear for your personal safety or the safety of others
  • Someone is injured or experiencing a medical emergency
  • There is a fire

While talking with the 911 operator:

  • Remain calm and speak clearly
  • Be prepared to answer where, what, when, who, and how
  • Let the call-taker ask the questions
  • Stay on the phone if it is safe to do so, or until the call taker advises you to hang up
  • If the call requires transfer to another agency, stay on the line. You may hear a series of clicks as the transfer occurs
  • If the 9-1-1 center is extremely busy and your call is not answered within approximately 15 seconds, you will hear a recording indicating that operators are busy. The tones that follow the recording support devices for the hearing impaired. Stay on the line, do not hang up and call back

You may be asked:

  • The location of the emergency – the exact address, intersection, place name (for example shopping center, school, hotel, etc.)
  • The nature of the emergency (what is going on right now, description of people and/or vehicles involved, any weapons involved, how long ago did the incident occur)
  • If it is a medical emergency you will be asked questions about the patient’s physical condition
  • Your (the caller’s) name and telephone number – a request to remain anonymous will be honored
  • Whether you want an officer to respond to see you
  • To be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Call takers can provide step-by-step information about what to do until help arrives.

You can call your local non-emergency number to:

  • To report that you were the victim of a crime that is not currently happening
  • To report violations of protection orders that have not placed you in physical danger such as through social media or email
  • If you visit the station in person, keep in mind you may have to wait until an officer is available to take your report

Some crimes can also be reported to other agencies:

The VictimConnect Resource Center is not a reporting agency. A victim assistance specialist can speak with you about different reporting options, but cannot make a report for you.

  • Find your local APS
  • See information on Elder Abuse
  • Visit ChildHelp to find your local Child Protective Services phone number.
  • See information on Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center
  • See information on Financial Fraud
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline
  • See information on Human Trafficking
  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
  • FBI Tip Line

Visit our  VictimConnect Resource Map  for additional resources or contact the  VictimConnect Resource Center  by phone or text at  1-855-4-VICTIM  or by  chat  for more information or assistance in locating services that can help you or a loved one who is interested in reporting a crime.

OUR TRAINED VICTIM ASSISTANCE SPECIALISTS ARE READY TO HELP.

Looking for something?

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Politics & Government
  • Race & Gender

Expert Commentary

Why crimes aren’t reported: The role of emotional distress and perceptions of police response

2014 research brief on the role of negative emotionality in the reporting of crimes, by Chad Posick and Michael Singleton, Georgia Southern University and the Scholars Strategy Network.

Republish this article

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

by Scholars Strategy Network, The Journalist's Resource May 13, 2014

This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/criminal-justice/crime-unreporting-emotional-distress-police-response/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">

From the Scholars Strategy Network , written by Chad Posick and Michael Singleton , Georgia Southern University

As is well known, many crimes are not reported to the police. Why does that happen? Researchers have looked at the kinds of people who are more or less likely to report crimes, and they have also sought to explain different rates of reporting for various kinds of crimes. Now another factor — emotional distress — is getting a closer look. Depending on who is affected and the types of harm caused by different crimes, people can have highly varied emotional responses. The emotions of victims can influence whether they will report crimes and also their perceptions of police responses.

Victims and crimes

To make sense of variations in crime reports to the police, existing research highlights the impact of victims’ individual-level characteristics such as race, sex, and marital status, and also points to the influence of varying degrees of harm caused by different types of crime. Some important findings have emerged from this well-established line of research:

  • Older, white females who are married are the kind of victims most likely to report crimes. Compared to youth and minorities, older whites are more likely to trust the police and have confidence in their ability to investigate crimes. Lower rates of reporting by youth and minorities happen because these victims have often previously experienced what they perceive to be unfair police enforcement activities, leading them to distrust the police.
  • Police are most likely to be called by victims when serious crimes result in injuries. When someone is seriously hurt by a perpetrator, he or she usually reports the crime or someone does on their behalf. Such victims need and want medical and psychological help — often more than do victims of minor crimes. In serious crimes, therefore, the police become first responders, present shortly after victims begin to cope with harmful experiences.

The role of emotions in reporting to the police

Emotions influence the behavior of victims of crime — and also affect the actions of other people around the victims. One behavior that can be affected is whether the victim reports the crime at all. Social psychologists have learned that negative emotions such as fear and anxiety often prompt people to seek help — in ways ranging from talking with loved ones and looking for professional counseling to contacting the police. It is not surprising, therefore, that victims of crime who experience strong emotional reactions — such as anger, depression, fear, and shock — are more likely to report their experience to the police.

Indeed, victims are more likely to contact the police if they experience multiple forms of emotional distress or especially intense responses. That is true regardless of the sex, race, age or marital status of the crime victim, and regardless of such features of the crime as location, time of day and the degree of injury inflicted on the victim.

Satisfaction with the police

If emotional distress makes reports of crimes to the police more likely, does it also influence how victims perceive their treatment by the police? Additional analyses show that emotions do matter — in complex ways.

  • Victims who experience emotional distress are less likely than victims who feel less distress to be satisfied with police actions. In short, emotionally distressed victims are more likely to reach out to the police for help, but they often feel that the police response falls short of meeting their needs.
  • However, victims who experience emotional distress are more likely than victims in general to find the police response satisfactory if they already have strong confidence in the police. This finding implies that inspiring general citizen confidence in the police can have a positive effect on the image of the police among people who end up falling victim to emotionally distressing crimes and calling on the police for help.

Take-away lessons

Studies by various scholars, including our team as well as other research teams, underline the importance of the emotions surrounding crime episodes and the impact of underlying citizen views about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the police. Citizen views of the criminal justice system are heavily influenced by individuals’ prior interactions with police and other professionals and their perceptions of the credibility and fairness of those professionals. When crimes happen, the emotional reactions of victims will influence how likely the victims are to report crimes and how likely they are to feel that the police are helpful. In short, the seriousness of the crime and the social characteristics and emotional reactions of the victim matter, but so do already ingrained citizen attitudes. Citizens who already had confidence in the police are likely to appreciate their responses when they are victimized by crime and call the police.

Given these research findings, police departments and officers can take clear-cut steps to enhance citizen confidence and reassure crime victims.

  • Departments can establish ongoing programs to engage the community. Citizen review boards boost the trustworthiness of the police by increasing citizen familiarity with police practices and making enforcement activities transparent. In addition, regular dialogues between police and citizens (particularly adolescents) can further understanding of police practices and humanize officers in the eyes of the citizens they are charged to protect.
  • Police training can promote emotionally intelligent responses to crime victims. When police officers respond to calls by victims who may well be very emotionally distressed, they can improve their interactions with the victims by displaying empathy. Properly trained officers can learn to recognize typical emotional reactions from victims and become more adept at showing they truly care about helping those hurt by crimes recover in mind and body.

Related research: Chad Posick has authored a related study: “Victimization and Reporting to the Police: The Role of Negative Emotionality,” which appeared in Psychology of Violence in April 2013. Posick and Christina Policastro authored “Victim Injury, Emotional Distress and Satisfaction with the Police: Evidence for a Victim-Centered, Emotionally Based Police Response,” which appeared in the Journal of the Institute of Justice & International Studies the same year.

The authors are members of the Scholars Strategy Network , where this post originally appeared.

Keywords: crime, violence, safety , policing

About The Author

' src=

Scholars Strategy Network

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Finance and Business
  • Legal Matters
  • Law Enforcement

How to Report a Crime Anonymously in the U.S

Last Updated: January 19, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS . Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 40,181 times.

If you have knowledge of a crime that's been committed, or may be committed in the future, reporting it to the proper authorities could prevent further harm or even save a life. The decision to come forward about illegal activity can be a tough one, as it forces you to get involved in an ugly situation. You should know, however, that it is possible to report a crime anonymously in the U.S. You can share your story by either submitting an incident report through one of several law enforcement-affiliated websites or calling a toll-free tipline run by your local police department or FBI field office.

Reporting a Crime Online

Step 1 Submit an anonymous tip to your local police department or FBI field office.

  • You can get in touch with the FBI if you have knowledge of any type of federal offense, including violent crimes, child pornography, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and terrorism. [2] X Trustworthy Source United States Department of Justice Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice Go to source
  • If you're not sure whether to send your tip to the police or the FBI, it may be a good idea to fill out two separate reports. Worst case scenario, one of the agencies will simply refer you to the other.

Tip: Some incident forms make the individual's first and last names required fields by default. Check beneath one or both name fields for a box that says something like “Decline” or “Withhold.” If there is, click it.

Step 2 Send tips regarding controlled substances directly to the DEA.

  • Only drug crimes involving the large-scale manufacture and distribution of controlled substances should be reported to the DEA. You can notify your local law enforcement agency of lesser offenses like the possession or sale of small amounts of narcotics.
  • Alternatively, you can report drug crimes through your local FBI field office's Internet tipline. [4] X Trustworthy Source United States Department of Justice Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice Go to source

Step 3 Use CyberTipline to report child pornography or sexual exploitation.

  • You can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children by phone at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST). [6] X Trustworthy Source USA.GOV Official website for the United States federal government Go to source
  • CyberTipline is run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and organization that helps track down and prosecute those who commit crimes against children.

Step 4 Give crime reporting apps a shot if you're not sure who to tell.

  • All of these apps are designed to be fast, efficient, and easy to use. Just download your program of choice from the iOS or Google Play App Store, provide the requested information, and hit "Send" to dispatch your report to the proper authorities.

Step 5 File a complaint about an Internet crime with IC3.

  • While it's possible to file a report with IC3 anonymously, the organization requests that victims provide as much personal information as possible in order to better investigate complaints.
  • If you'd like to report a lesser offense, like unrelenting spam emails or mass marketing fraud, you can do so on the FTC's Complaint Assistant website. [8] X Research source

Calling the Proper Authorities

Step 1 Dial 911 if you witness a crime in progress.

  • If you don't have access to your own phone or device, see if there's another phone in the immediate vicinity that you can use, or ask someone else to place a call for you.

Warning: Keep in mind that 911 is an emergency connection, and should be reserved only for crimes-in-progress and other urgent situations. [10] X Research source

Step 2 Phone in an anonymous tip to your local police hotline.

  • To find out whether your local law enforcement agency has a tipline, run a quick search for “police hotline” or “police tipline” along with the name of your town, city, or district.
  • The tipline responder may ask you for your name or other personal information, but be aware that you're not obligated to provide it.

Step 3 Call your regional DEA office if you have knowledge of a drug-related crime.

  • It may be better to call the DEA than to submit a report online if the crime you witnessed just occurred. That way, you'll be able to relay the details directly to an agent while they're still fresh in your mind.

Step 4 Report alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives crimes to an ATF hotline.

  • Direct general concerns and inquiries to 1-888-283-8477 if you're not sure which specific hotline to call.

Step 5 Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline to report human trafficking.

  • A person who clearly is being controlled by another more aggressive person, seems unable to come and go as they please, or reacts fearfully to attempts at interaction may be being held against their will. [14] X Research source
  • Not all human trafficking is related to sex. Victims may also be forced to work excessively long hours or perform dangerous or illegal types of labor. These people often appear exhausted or malnourished.

Expert Q&A

  • Don't allow a responder to bully or guilt-trip you into giving your name. There's no law that says you have to state who you are when reporting a crime. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Making an executive decision to tell someone about a crime you've witnessed, even if you choose not to share your personal information, is a commendable deed, and has the potential to positively impact your community. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

reporting of crime

  • Bear in mind that while the decision to disclose your identity is entirely up to you, it may be harder for law enforcement officials to bring criminals to justice without further cooperation, such as eyewitness testimony. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

Find Mugshots

  • ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/criminal-defense/should-you-report-a-crime-anonymously/
  • ↑ https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime
  • ↑ https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip
  • ↑ https://www.missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline
  • ↑ https://www.usa.gov/report-crime
  • ↑ https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
  • ↑ https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
  • ↑ Saul Jaeger, MS. Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department. Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.
  • ↑ https://www.911.gov/calling-911/frequently-asked-questions/
  • ↑ https://hopeforjustice.org/spot-the-signs/

About This Article

Saul Jaeger, MS

  • Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Am I a Narcissist or an Empath Quiz

Featured Articles

How to Comfort Someone Physically

Trending Articles

Everything You Need to Know to Rock the Corporate Goth Aesthetic

Watch Articles

Cook Fresh Cauliflower

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Logo for Open Oregon Educational Resources

3.3 Underreporting of Crime

It is difficult to determine the amount of crime that occurs in our communities every year because many crimes never come to the attention of the criminal justice system. There are more than a dozen different reasons that the majority of crimes go unreported to the proper criminal justice officials. The reasons include: victims or those who have “suffered direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime,” not reporting, victims not realizing they are victims, and offenders not getting caught ( Victim Information , 2021). One of the most recent studies on the significance of the dark Figure of crime has analyzed unreported violent crime statistics from 2006 to 2010 (Solorzano, 2021). It showed that there are more than half a dozen major reasons for not reporting crime to law enforcement. They include that the crime incidents were: reported to another official; deemed unimportant by the victim; believed police wouldn’t/couldn’t help; protecting the offender(s); fear of retaliation; and others (2021).

Research reveals that on average, more than half of the nation’s violent crimes, or nearly 3.4 million violent victimizations per year, went unreported to the police between 2006 and 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS, 2012). Because of this underreporting of crime, criminologists often refer to this problem as the “dark figure” of crime. The phrase “ dark figure ” is used to recognize that a large portion of crime each year is unreported.The latest report from BJS shows that almost half of the 50-States in America provided insufficient 2021 data to the FBI crime data (BJS, 2022). Another most recent study detailed in Figure 3.1 shows that “fewer than half of crimes in the U.S. are reported, and fewer than half of reported crimes are solved” (Pew Research Center, 2020). Meaning that less than 25% of all crimes remain unsolved every year. This is illustrated in figure (3..) which combines multiple official data from the U.S. federal agencies.

reporting of crime

Figure 3.1. Crime reporting and clearing in the U.S.

Underreporting is one of the biggest problems that continues to plague the criminal justice systems in America and most other nations. As with other major crime problems, underreporting is also highly preventable, especially if the key leaders of communities and universities are willing to end the dark figures of crime.

There are three general sources of crime statistics that will be covered in this chapter. They include the official statistics , which we often describe as reported statistics, self-report statistics, and victimization statistics. Each of these sources of crime statistics has pros and cons, and we will spend time discussing those as well. Additionally, we will discuss other key considerations regarding crime statistics. First is the importance of looking at crime trends over time. The other is relying upon statistics and research when developing policy. Finally, we will explain how data should be a tool that enhances the criminal justice system.

If we have accurate and reliable crime statistics, we can evaluate criminal justice policies and programs. For example, we could use crime statistics to see if incarcerating drug offenders is effective. Such effectiveness is studied in the correctional system via the ‘risk principal,’ or classifying people based on the level of risk.

Let us take the example of looking at the gap between reported and unreported crimes.

3.3.1 Some Reasons People May Not Report:

  • The victim may not know a crime occurred.
  • The offender is a member of the family, a friend, or an acquaintance.
  • The victim thinks it is not worth reporting.
  • The victim may fear retaliation.
  • The victim may also have committed a crime.
  • The victim does not trust the police.

3.3.2 Licenses and Attributions for Underreporting of Crime

Figure 3.1. Crime reporting and clearing in the U.S. by Trudi Radtke is licensed under CC BY 4.0 .

“3.3. Underreporting of Crime” by Sam Arungwa is adapted from “ 2.1 Dark or Hidden Figure of Crime ” by Shanell Sanchez in SOU-CCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, and Shanell Sanchez, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 . Edited for style, consistency, recency, and brevity; added DEI content.

Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System Copyright © by Sam Arungwa. All Rights Reserved.

Share This Book

logo

National Institute of Mass Communication & Journalism, Ahmedabad

( Affiliated by Gujarat University )

Inquiry for BAJMC(Hons.)* / MAJMC

Crime Reporting: The First Form of Journalism

Crime Reporting: The First Form of Journalism

Crime Reporting: The First Form of Journalism

The word "journalism" is derived from the French word "journal," meaning "daily." Crime reporting in journalism involves the release of crime news, or information to the public. Crime reporting in journalism consists of printed or broadcast journalistic pieces containing detailed information about criminal activity.

What is Crime Reporting

Crime reporting is the first form of journalism. It is the act of writing and publishing stories about crime. Crime reporters are often the first to arrive at the scene of a crime, and they work to get the story out to the public as quickly as possible. In many cases, crime reporters can write about crimes that have not yet been solved, which can help lead to tips and arrests.

Why Crime Reporting Journalism

Crime is a universal concern and stories about crime capture our attention like no other type of story. It also provides an important service to the public and keeps us informed about what is going on in our communities. In addition, crime reporting can help solve crimes by providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of criminals.

Junior reporters cover crime as well, but it is a very serious and specialized position. If you're interested in a career in journalism , consider specializing in crime reporting. It's a fascinating field with endless possibilities for impactful stories.

How to Become a Crime Reporting Journalist

Are you interested in becoming a crime reporter? If so, there are a few things you need to know. First and foremost, you need to be comfortable with research and writing. You'll also need to be able to work long hours, as many crime stories take time to develop. Here are a few tips on how to become a crime reporter:

  • Start by working on your research and writing skills. These are essential for any journalist, but especially for those covering crime. You'll need to be able to dig up information and write clearly and concisely about complex topics.
  • Get some experience working in the news industry, even if it's not exclusively on the crime beat. This will help you understand how the news business works and give you some insight into what it takes to be a successful reporter.
  • Develop sources within the law enforcement community. These sources can provide valuable information and help you get your foot in the door of crime reporting in Journalism.
  • Be prepared to work long hours. Many crime stories take time to develop, so you'll need to be able to work on them even when they're not necessarily "newsworthy."
  • A basic working knowledge of penal codes and law on libel and other relevant matters is necessary.
  • Always keep in mind to never glorify the activities of criminals.
  • One important aspect to keep in mind is to follow standards of decency while writing about victims so that none of their sentiments are hurt.
  • Finally, to become a good crime reporter one should always follow a code of conduct.

How to Write a News Story

News stories are a staple of journalism, but they can be difficult to write. Here are some tips on how to write a crime news story:

  • Start with the facts. What happened? Who was involved? When and where did it happen.
  • Write in a clear, concise style. Be sure to include all the important details, but don't get bogged down in unnecessary details.
  • Use quotes from witnesses or experts to add depth to your story.
  • Be sure to check your facts! Nothing will damage your credibility as a journalist more than getting your facts wrong.
  • If you're not sure about something, ask! There's no shame in admitting that you don't know everything - that's why we have editors.

Crime reporting in Journalism has been around since the early days of journalism and it remains an important part of the news today. It provides a vital service to the public by keeping them informed about crime in their area and helping to hold criminals accountable. While it can be sensational at times, crime reporting is a necessary evil that helps keep us all safe

If you're interested in a career in journalism, Pursue your dream career with NIMCJ , a Journalism college in India. Contact us for more information

13 Sep 2022

Post by : NIMCJ

  • Skip to main content
  • Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Violent crime is dropping fast in the U.S. — even if Americans don't believe it

Karen Zamora

Ari Shapiro

Ari Shapiro

Courtney Dorning

Courtney Dorning

reporting of crime

What you see depends a lot on what you're looking at, according to one crime analyst. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

What you see depends a lot on what you're looking at, according to one crime analyst.

In 2020, the United States experienced one of its most dangerous years in decades.

The number of murders across the country surged by nearly 30% between 2019 and 2020, according to FBI statistics . The overall violent crime rate, which includes murder, assault, robbery and rape, inched up around 5% in the same period.

But in 2023, crime in America looked very different.

"At some point in 2022 — at the end of 2022 or through 2023 — there was just a tipping point where violence started to fall and it just continued to fall," said Jeff Asher, a crime analyst and co-founder of AH Datalytics.

In cities big and small, from both coasts, violence has dropped.

"The national picture shows that murder is falling. We have data from over 200 cities showing a 12.2% decline ... in 2023 relative to 2022," Asher said, citing his own analysis of public data. He found instances of rape, robbery and aggravated assault were all down too.

Yet when you ask people about crime in the country, the perception is it's getting a lot worse.

A Gallup poll released in November found 77% of Americans believed there was more crime in the country than the year before. And 63% felt there was either a "very" or "extremely" serious crime problem — the highest in the poll's history going back to 2000.

So what's going on?

What the cities are seeing

What you see depends a lot on what you're looking at, according to Asher.

"There's never been a news story that said, 'There were no robberies yesterday, nobody really shoplifted at Walgreens,'" he said.

"Especially with murder, there's no doubt that it is falling at [a] really fast pace right now. And the only way that I find to discuss it with people is to talk about what the data says."

There are some outliers to this trend — murder rates are up in Washington, D.C., Memphis and Seattle, for example — and some nonviolent crimes like car theft are up in certain cities. But the national trend on violence is clear.

4 key takeaways from the FBI's annual crime report

4 key takeaways from the FBI's annual crime report

NPR spoke to three local reporters — from Baltimore, San Francisco and Minneapolis — to better understand what is happening in their communities.

"We've seen two years now of crime incrementally going down, which I think is enough to say there's a positive trend there," said Andy Mannix, a crime and policing reporter for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis.

Rachel Swan, a breaking news and enterprise reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle , says there are "two really visible crises" in the downtown area: homelessness and open-air drug use.

"And honestly, people conflate that with crime, with street safety," she said. "One thing I'm starting to learn in reporting on public safety is that you can put numbers in front of people all day, and numbers just don't speak to people the way narrative does."

reporting of crime

The perception of crime doesn't always match the reality. Kena Netancur/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

In Baltimore — a city that's battled a perception of being dangerous — it's a similar story.

Lee Sanderlin is an enterprise reporter with The Baltimore Banner and says there are pockets of violent crime — but that's not the case for the entire city.

"That's a battle that the city's leaders have had to fight with certain media outlets, with residents," Sanderlin said. "People who don't live in Baltimore, who live out in Baltimore County or neighboring counties, they certainly have a perception."

Unraveling the reasons

Asher, the crime analyst, says there is no one reason why violent crime is going down.

"It's a really hard question to answer, and I always caveat my answer with [saying that] criminologists still aren't sure why violent crime went down in the '90s," he said. "We can kind of point to what some of the ingredients probably are even if we can't take the cake and tell you what the exact recipe is."

For cities like San Francisco, Baltimore and Minneapolis, there may be different factors at play. And in some instances, it comes as the number of police officers declines too.

Stories about crime are rife with misinformation and racism, critics say

Stories about crime are rife with misinformation and racism, critics say

Baltimore police are chronically short of their recruitment goal, and as of last September had more than 750 vacant positions, according to a state audit report.

"Our new police commissioner has been pretty open about the fact ... that while they want to hire more officers, they have to do the job with the people they have," Sanderlin said.

In Minneapolis, police staffing has plummeted. According to the Star Tribune , there are about 560 active officers — down from nearly 900 in 2019. Mannix said the 2020 police killing of George Floyd resulted in an unprecedented exodus from the department.

He said that the juxtaposition of crime going down at the same time as police numbers dropped was "very confusing to a lot of people."

"The reality is there's a lot of things that factor into crime," he said. "It's not just how many police there are. That's definitely one variable."

In Minneapolis, the city is putting more financial resources into nontraditional policing initiatives. The Department of Neighborhood Safety, which addresses violence through a public health lens, received $22 million in the 2024 budget.

For years, the FBI quietly stopped tracking anti-Arab violence and hate crimes

For years, the FBI quietly stopped tracking anti-Arab violence and hate crimes

In San Francisco, police there say they've been better at making arrests.

Meanwhile, Sanderlin said Baltimore voted for a new prosecutor who vowed to be tough on crime; the police say they are targeting violent hotspots; and the mayor's office is connecting would-be offenders with housing assistance and employment.

"Put all of that in the blender with a generally better economy, more people are sort of getting back to a pre-pandemic way of life, and that probably has something to do with it," Sanderlin said.

But changing the view of crime is about playing the long game, he added.

"Crime affects people very personally. The only way to get people to change their perceptions on a macro scale is for progress to continue."

  • Crime statistics

Queensland government's secret polling released, revealing drop in voter satisfaction over crime-handling, housing and Olympics

Health Minister Steven Miles

Secret polling commissioned by the Queensland government costing taxpayers almost $400,000 has been publicly released, and shows voters have been unsatisfied with the state's performance on crime, housing and being trustworthy.  

Initiated under former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the state government paid $392,638 to market research company IPSOS to conduct 10 waves of polling surveys on 1,200 voters in the lead up to the state election.

The polling began in May last year and will continue until June 2024.

The results for November — the fifth round of polling — showed 23 per cent of respondents were satisfied the Queensland government was trustworthy, down from 28 per cent in September.

Only 16 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied with how the state was tacking crime, and 14 per cent or less were satisfied with the state's performance on easing the cost of living and making housing more affordable.

A report about the November polling was finalised by IPSOS for the Department of Premier and Cabinet on December 4, several days before Ms Palaszczuk announced her resignation as premier and member for Inala.

'Government can be more transparent' 

Ms Palaszczuk refused to release the polling after calls from the opposition to do so the last year.

In a bid to improve transparency, today Premier Steven Miles released the first five waves of survey results conducted in this term of government.

"The Queensland government, like most large organisations, commissions research to understand the views of Queenslanders," he told parliament.

"I don't think it's unusual for government, indeed any business or organisation, using audience research to inform their work.

"But I do think government can be more transparent."

Olympics support also down

The polling also found support for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympic Games had dropped, with 38 per cent of respondents agreeing the Olympics were a good idea, down from 43 per cent.

Satisfaction levels over safety also decreased, with 56 per cent of those surveyed being satisfied that they feel safe, compared to 61 per cent in the previous survey.

Mr Miles acknowledged community safety and cost of living were key areas of concern for voters.

"We know community safety is a concern for a lot of Queenslanders, but the research also tells us it's a complex problem and not everyone agrees on the solution," he told parliament.

"We know cost of living is an issue for many and we're working to tackle it.

"Other more historic research helped inform our messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic, to make sure Queenslanders were safe and informed of the restrictions in place and why they were important."

'Queenslanders won't be fooled'

Shadow attorney-general Tim Nicholls said Mr Miles was only releasing the polling to distance himself from the Palaszczuk government.

"But Queenslanders won't be fooled, everyone remembers Steven Miles was joined at the hip and shoulder with Annastacia Palaszczuk on every decision they made.

"And we're not going to let him run from his record because it's his record that Queenslanders are judging him on and that includes those results that were released today in a cynical exercise."

In 2020, the Palaszczuk government spent half a million dollars polling Queenslanders' opinions on the coronavirus which the state government said was used to help shape behaviour-changing campaigns and direct more funding into domestic violence ahead of the state election. 

At the time, Ms Palaszczuk refused to release the polling and denied it was used for political gain in the lead up to the election.

  • X (formerly Twitter)
  • Government and Politics
  • Opinion Polls
  • Political Leadership

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MENU Hate Crimes

  • Report a Hate Crime
  • Learn About Hate Crimes
  • Facts and Statistics
  • Laws and Policies
  • Hate Crimes Case Examples
  • News, Events, and Spotlights
  • Publications and Media

Encouraging Reporting and Supporting Victims of Hate Crimes and Incidents: State-Run Hotlines

A graphic that says CA vs Hate inside a speech bubble

Joe has been harassed by his landlord, including being called derogatory names based on his sexual orientation and race. Now his landlord is threatening to evict him. Joe feels unsafe, but doesn’t want to call the police. He contacts California’s hate crimes hotline. What happens next? Keep reading to find out.

The Department of Justice awarded the state of California over a million dollars to expand community awareness of a statewide non-emergency hotline for victims of hate incidents and crimes launched in May 2023. The Department also funded hotlines in two more states. Why are hotlines necessary? How do they help people targeted for hate? 

Removing Barriers to Reporting Hate Crime and Hate Incidents

Many victims and witnesses to acts of hate do not report them due to fear of retaliation and lack of trust. Some people also fail to report or request help because of language barriers or a lack of cultural understanding. As described in Raising Awareness of Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents During the COVID-19 Pandemic , the failure to use trusted messengers to facilitate dialogue can also be an obstacle to victim reporting.

Hotlines provide a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate acts by offering a way to report what happened and receive support without contacting the police or law enforcement. The California vs. Hate Resource Line and Network (CA vs Hate) was developed in response to the rise in reported hate crimes in California, which in recent years reached their highest levels since 2001.

Connecting Victims and Survivors of Acts of Hate to Valuable Services

CA vs Hate connects callers with professionals trained in culturally competent communication and trauma-informed practices. An ongoing outreach campaign is encouraging hate crimes and incident reporting and access to resources through a multilingual digital, print, and radio ad campaign and community-specific outreach efforts .

CA vs Hate supports victims through a network of non-profit partners . Hotlines like California’s connect people targeted for hate to:

  • advocates who can help victims and survivors navigate unfamiliar systems, and access mental health, financial, and legal services;
  • community-based organizations, including culturally specific organizations and faith-based organizations; and
  • others with similar lived experiences, including survivors. 

Some non-profit partners have deep ties within communities, and may help provide education, outreach, trainings, and health resources. They also inform strategies to help deescalate potential tensions that could lead to violence and discrimination.

Reporting Hate Incidents in Addition to Hate Crimes – Why It Matters

Reporting hate incidents – and not only hate crimes – matters. An isolated incident may be part of a pattern. Tracking incidents not prosecutable as hate crimes may help prevent future acts of hate.

When I talk to people who have suffered acts of hate, they often talk about how they want to help prevent other people from experiencing the same thing. Many people don’t realize how reporting can help those who come after you. By documenting incidents and connecting people with resources, we can help make change in communities. So even if some might be hesitant to report, I think by sharing the whole picture of how reporting can support others, we can demonstrate the importance of coming forward.  –  Sophie Cuevas , Care Coordinator, 211 LA ( partner organization , CA vs Ha te )

Improving hate incident and crime reporting data is a key goal for the California vs. Hate Resource Line and Network . Reporting acts of hate allows communities and law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem in a community and put resources toward preventing and addressing attacks based on bias and hate.

Community-based organizations can assist and encourage reporting to law enforcement when a perceived hate crime does meet the elements of a criminal offense.

An infographic highlighting statistics about the California hate crime hotline.

In CA vs Hate’s fictional case study example , Joe’s report to the hotline results in a care coordinator helping Joe file a discrimination complaint with the state’s civil rights department. The care coordinator also connects Joe to a nearby LGBT center and a racial justice organization to assist with counseling and relocation. For another illustration of the hotline’s impact, see CA vs. Hate: Empowering Change in the Face of Workplace Discrimination | 211LA .

In an emergency, dial 9-1-1 or local police to get immediate help. If you believe you are the victim of a hate crime or witnessed a hate crime, report the crime to state or local police and the FBI.

Biden won’t be charged in classified docs case; special counsel cites instances of ‘poor memory’

WASHINGTON — Special counsel Robert Hur has declined to prosecute President Joe Biden for his handling of classified documents but said in a report released Thursday that Biden’s practices “present serious risks to national security” and added that part of the reason he wouldn't charge Biden was that the president could portray himself as an "elderly man with a poor memory" who would be sympathetic to a jury.

“Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen,” the report said, but added that the evidence “does not establish Mr. Biden’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The report from Hur — who previously appointed by former President Donald Trump as one of the country's top federal prosecutors — also made clear the "material distinctions" between a theoretical case against Biden and the pending case against Trump for his handling of classified documents, noting the "serious aggravating facts" in Trump's case.

Biden said in remarks from the White House after the report was made public that he was pleased that the report cleared him.

"The decision to decline criminal charges was straightforward," Biden said.

He also said: “My memory’s fine.”

Hur’s report included several shocking lines about Biden’s memory, which the report said “was significantly limited” during his 2023 interviews with the special counsel. Biden’s age and presentation would make it more difficult to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the now-81-year-old was guilty of willfully committing a crime.

“We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” it said. “Based on our direct interactions with and observations of him, he is someone for whom many jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt. It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him — by then a former president well into his eighties — of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.”

Later in the report, the special counsel said that the president’s memory was “worse” during an interview with him than it was in recorded conversations from 2017.

“He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended (‘if it was 2013 — when did I stop being Vice President?’), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began (‘in 2009, am I still Vice President?’),” the report said.

Biden also had difficulty remembering the timing of his son Beau’s death, as well as a debate about Afghanistan, the report said.

“He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died,” the report said.

Defenders of the president quickly pointed out that he sat for the interview in the days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Biden, giving previously scheduled remarks on Thursday, appeared to nod to that, saying, “I was in the middle of handling an international crisis.”

He also added that he was “especially pleased” that the special counsel “made clear the stark differences between this case and Donald Trump.”

Andrew Weissman, who served on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team, said Thursday on MSNBC that Hur’s decision to lodge criticisms of Biden’s memory problems was “gratuitous” and reminded him of when former FBI Director James Comey held a news conference criticizing Hillary Clinton in the months before the 2016 election.

“This is not being charged. And yet a person goes out and gives their opinion with adjectives and adverbs about what they think, entirely inappropriate,” he said. “I think a really fair criticism of this is, unfortunately, we’re seeing a redux of what we saw with respect to James Comey at the FBI with respect to Hillary Clinton in terms of really not adhering to what I think are the highest ideals of the Department of Justice.”

page 131 photo hur report

In a Monday letter to Hur and his deputy special counsel, Richard Sauber and Bob Bauer, Biden’s personal counsel, disputed how the report characterized the president’s memory.

“We do not believe that the report’s treatment of President Biden’s memory is accurate or appropriate,” Sauber and Bauer wrote in the letter, which was also released on Thursday. “The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.”

Separately, Sauber responded to the report by saying the White House is “pleased” it has concluded and that there were no criminal charges.

“As the Special Counsel report recognizes, the President fully cooperated from day one,” he said in a statement. “His team promptly self-reported the classified documents that were found to ensure that these documents were immediately returned to the government because the President knows that’s where they belong.”

Sauber went on to appear to criticize the report but raised no specific points.

“We disagree with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the Special Counsel’s report,” Sauber said in his statement. “Nonetheless, the most important decision the Special Counsel made — that no charges are warranted — is firmly based on the facts and evidence.”

Hur’s report said there were “clear” material distinctions between a potential case against Biden and the pending case against Trump, noting that unlike “the evidence involving Mr. Biden, the allegations set forth in the indictment of Mr. Trump, if proven, would present serious aggravating facts.”

reporting of crime

Most notably, the report said, “after being given multiple chances to return classified documents and avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite.” In contrast, it said, “Mr. Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives and the Department of Justice, consented to the search of multiple locations including his homes, sat for a voluntary interview, and in other ways cooperated with the investigation.”

Some of the report focuses on documents about Afghanistan, from early in Barack Obama’s presidency. About a month after Biden left office as vice president, in a recorded conversation with his ghostwriter in February 2017, Biden remarked that he “just found all this classified stuff downstairs,” the report said. He told him, “Some of this may be classified, so be careful," in one recording. Biden was believed to have been referring to classified documents about the Afghanistan troop surge in 2009, which Biden opposed.

The announcement tops off a lengthy saga that began in November 2022, after one of Biden’s personal attorneys found classified documents that appeared to be from the Obama administration at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, which Biden had used as a personal office after his vice presidential term concluded. Classified documents were later also found at Biden’s Delaware home.

The existence of classified documents at Biden’s home and former office were first reported in January 2023. CBS News first reported the existence of the documents at the Penn Biden Center.

Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 announced that he would appoint Hur as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Biden, saying the appointment authorized him “to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter.”

Biden was interviewed in October as part of the investigation, the White House said. The interview was voluntary, according to White House spokesman Ian Sams.

“As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation,” Sams said at the time.

NBC News has also previously reported that the special counsel had interviewed Hunter Biden as well, according to a source familiar with the matter.

With Hur’s announcement, Donald Trump remains the only president in history to face criminal charges, which include seven criminal charges in connection with mishandling classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. According to the indictment in that case, Trump had more than 100 classified documents at his Florida home, including documents with “Top Secret” classification markings.

reporting of crime

Ryan J. Reilly is a justice reporter for NBC News.

reporting of crime

Ken Dilanian is the justice and intelligence correspondent for NBC News, based in Washington.

reporting of crime

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

U.s. department of the treasury, irs release new analysis showing the high return on investment from inflation reduction act resources.

More comprehensive estimates show transformative investments, if sustained, will result in $851 billion in additional revenue through 2034

WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a new analysis showing the high return on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investment in rebuilding and modernizing the IRS. Taking a more comprehensive approach to evaluating the transformational initiatives enabled by the IRA, the IRS estimates in a new paper “Return on Investment: Re-Examining Revenue Estimates for IRS Funding” that the IRA as enacted would increase revenue by as much as $561 billion over 2024-2034, substantially more than earlier estimates. If IRA funding is renewed when it runs out, as the Administration has proposed, estimated revenues would be as much as $851 billion. 

 Previous IRS estimates of IRA revenues were limited to revenues generated by direct enforcement activities resulting from higher enforcement staffing. This narrow focus does not capture the full range of ways that the technology, data, and service improvements made possible by the IRA will increase revenues. A full accounting of the revenue raised by this transformation requires a more comprehensive examination of the potential revenue impacts of higher funding.

  “The IRS’s previous estimates of revenue generated by IRA funding were limited to revenues directly resulting from increased enforcement staff­ing. Consequently, the estimates did not present a complete picture of the revenue benefits of the innovative investments we are making under the IRA SOP [Strategic Operating Plan,]”  the new paper concludes. “The approach ignored many activities that will influence revenue, including enhanc­ing services to improve voluntary compliance, modernizing technology, and adopting analytic advances that can dramati­cally improve productivity. It also ignored the deterrence effect of compliance activities on taxpayers’ behavior. To account for the potential revenue impact of the full array of investments contemplated in the IRA SOP, we need to look at the effects on revenue collection in a more comprehensive way.” 

“IT modernization offers a wide array of potential revenue benefits. [E]xpanded data intake capacity and productivity will help increase compliance; improved audit selection and collection planning can increase the productivity of enforcement activities,” the paper finds. “A decade ago, the State of California undertook to modernize its tax administration infrastructure. Many of the changes im­plemented are similar to those we are undertaking now […] The California experience demonstrates that these improvements can substantially increase revenue.”

The new estimates released today are a first step in developing more comprehensive revenue estimates for IRS funding. They incorporate the benefits of improved technology, data analytics, and service, as well as the impact of deterrence on wealthy taxpayers who are audited. The estimates represent an important step forward and highlight the need for additional research: Treasury and the IRS will continue to study these issues and encourage outside research on these important topics as well.

The new findings also show what’s at stake in proposals to repeal or reduce this historic investment in the IRS. A $20 billion rescission would reduce revenues by over $100 billion. While the IRS would still be able to ramp up enforcement against big corporations and wealthy taxpayers who do not pay what they owe in the next several years, the rescissions would cause IRA enforcement funding to run out in 2029— about two years earlier than it would have under the IRA as enacted—reducing the revenue raised in 2029 and subsequent years. The Administration has proposed extending and maintaining IRS investments after the IRA funds are exhausted, which would enable the IRS to collect $851 billion over 2024-2034. Conversely, additional rescissions of IRA resources or cuts to IRS base funding would further reduce revenue collections and could reverse taxpayer service improvements that have already been made and even endanger near-term enforcement efforts.

The IRA investments in the IRS were necessary because a decade of deep funding cuts resulted in unacceptable service levels, prevented technological upgrades, and undermined enforcement, particularly efforts focused on wealthy people and big corporations that do not pay what they owe. Driven by these funding cuts, the audit rate on millionaires fell by more than 70% from 2010 to 2019, and the audit rate on large corporations fell by more than 50% over the same period. The tax gap—the difference between taxes owed and taxes paid—has grown to more than $600 billion annually.

The IRA is enabling the IRS to reverse this trend and make wealthy taxpayers and big corporations pay the taxes they owe. Already, the IRS has announced a suite of enforcement efforts targeted at wealthy taxpayers and big corporations, including expanded audits of the biggest corporations and complex partnerships; a focus on foreign-owned corporations that underpay their U.S. taxes; and a campaign to collect tax debt from 1,600 millionaires with at least $250,000 in back taxes that has recovered more than $500 million to date. At the same time, the IRS is implementing the IRA consistent with Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen’s commitment that audit rates for small businesses and taxpayers earning less than $400,000 will not increase relative to historic levels. 

Furthermore, all taxpayers will benefit from the far-reaching initiatives outlined in the  IRA Strategic Operating Plan (SOP) . The SOP details how the IRS will use IRA resources to provide taxpayers with world-class customer service, clearer guidance on how to correctly file taxes, increased options for filing electronically, and robust online accounts so that individuals and businesses can file quickly and independently. Taxpayers will have the tools, information and assistance needed to get their tax filings right the first time—both in paying what they owe and claiming the tax benefits for which they are eligible. 

reporting of crime

FinCEN Sees Increase in BSA Reporting Involving the Use of Convertible Virtual Currency for Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Financial Trend Analysis (FTA)   today reflecting an increase in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting associated with the use of convertible virtual currency (CVC) and online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) and human trafficking. This FTA is based on BSA reporting filed between January 2020 and December 2021.

“Human traffickers and perpetrators of related crimes despicably exploit adults and children for financial gain,” said FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki. “Financial institutions’ vigilance and timely reporting is critical to providing law enforcement agencies with the information needed to investigate potential cases of human trafficking, sexual crimes against children, and related crimes. This reporting ultimately helps law enforcement protect and save innocent lives.”

The analysis detailed in this FTA furthers Treasury efforts to combat human trafficking as well as the illicit uses of CVC. For example, Brian Nelson, Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, announced at the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking that FinCEN has joined the Canadian financial intelligence unit’s Project Protect—a flagship public-private partnership on human trafficking. In addition, in June 2021, FinCEN identified human trafficking and cybercrime as among the “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism National Priorities” issued pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. More recently, in October 2023, FinCEN issued a finding pursuant to Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act that CVC mixing is a class of transactions of primary money laundering concern and proposed reporting requirements to increase transparency in connection with CVC mixing.

FinCEN’s analysis highlights the value of BSA reporting filed by regulated financial institutions. Key findings in the FTA include:

  • The total number of OCSE- and human trafficking-related BSA reports involving CVC increased from 336 in 2020 to 1,975 in 2021.
  • BSA filers specifically reported child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or human trafficking and CSAM in 95 percent of the OCSE- and human trafficking-related BSA reports involving CVC.
  • BSA reports overwhelmingly identified bitcoin as the primary CVC used for purported OCSE- and human trafficking-related activity, however, this does not necessarily mean that other types of CVC are not used for such crimes.
  • FinCEN identified four typologies (i.e. the use of darknet marketplaces that distribute CSAM, peer-to-peer exchanges, CVC mixers, and CVC kiosks) that describe common trends within BSA reports related to OCSE and human trafficking.

If you suspect OCSE or human trafficking is occurring or has occurred, please immediately contact law enforcement. To report suspicious activity indicative of OCSE or human trafficking to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line, call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. The Tip Line is also accessible outside the United States by calling 802-872-6199.

IMAGES

  1. FREE 11+ Sample Crime Reports in PDF

    reporting of crime

  2. FREE 11+ Sample Crime Reports in PDF

    reporting of crime

  3. FREE 11+ Sample Crime Reports in PDF

    reporting of crime

  4. Reporting a Crime

    reporting of crime

  5. Do you know how to report crime?

    reporting of crime

  6. FREE 11+ Sample Crime Reports in PDF

    reporting of crime

VIDEO

  1. Reporting crime on social media

  2. Reporting a Crime GameTheory

  3. High Crime Stats Had Been Misreported

  4. Reporting crime in Nigeria 😂😂😂 #funny #comedy #trending #funnyvideo #funnyvideos #funnyshorts

  5. When a graphic warning is not enough

  6. Unintentionally Supporting Crime

COMMENTS

  1. Report a crime

    Report a crime Report a crime Find out who to contact to get immediate help in an emergency, file a police report, and report different types of crime. What to do in an emergency If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911 immediately.

  2. Department of Justice

    Report a Crime or Submit a Complaint Report a Crime or Submit a Complaint If this is an emergency, contact 911 immediately. This resource page contains information on reporting various types of crimes to Justice Department components and other government agencies and trusted partners.

  3. National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)

    all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are certified to report crime data to NIBRS 77% of the U.S. population is covered by NIBRS-reporting law enforcement agencies 119 NIBRS-certified agencies serve cities and counties with a population of 250,000 or more, covering a total population of more than 65.4 million persons.

  4. Why Reporting Crime Matters

    Most reports center on violent crimes. To look at drug offenses, domestic violence, hate crimes, or drunk driving, one has to look at Part II crimes. These offenses may be more relevant to the quality of life in a community, but don't make the headlines as much as serious violent crimes.

  5. Report crime, find victim support, and get crime statistics

    Report a crime Find out who to contact to get immediate help in an emergency, file a police report, and report different types of crime. Where to report scams Use USA.gov's scam reporting tool to identify a scam and help you find the right government agency or consumer organization to report it. Find support if you experienced a crime

  6. Reporting a Crime

    If you decide to report the crime to law enforcement, you can either call 911 or the non-emergency line. Some crimes, like human trafficking and financial fraud, can also be reported to other types of agencies. You should call 911 if: You are in immediate danger and/or a life threatening situation

  7. PDF The Nation's Two Crime Measures

    The FBI publishes its findings in a detailed annual report, Crime in the United States, issued in the fall. In addition to crime counts and trends, this report includes data on crimes cleared, persons arrested (age, sex, race , and ethnicity), law enforcement personnel, and the characteristics of homicides (including age, sex, and race of victims

  8. How crime stats lie

    According to the FBI's preliminary 2020 findings, violent crime rose by 3% across the country last year. But the number of murders rose by 25% between 2019 and 2020 — the largest jump recorded ...

  9. The FBI released its crime report for 2021

    CNN — The FBI just released its 2021 Crime in the Nation Report, which is typically the most comprehensive snapshot of crime in the United States. But only 63% of the nation's more than...

  10. Why crimes aren't reported: The role of emotional distress and

    In serious crimes, therefore, the police become first responders, present shortly after victims begin to cope with harmful experiences. The role of emotions in reporting to the police . Emotions influence the behavior of victims of crime — and also affect the actions of other people around the victims.

  11. Simple Ways to Report a Crime Anonymously in the U.S: 10 Steps

    1 Submit an anonymous tip to your local police department or FBI field office. Visit the website of the law enforcement agency in your town, city, or district and look for a link where you can go to report a crime. If you're unable to find one, head over to tips.fbi.gov and use the provided form to tell what you know.

  12. 3.3 Underreporting of Crime

    Crime reporting and clearing in the U.S. Underreporting is one of the biggest problems that continues to plague the criminal justice systems in America and most other nations.

  13. Reporting Computer, Internet-related, Or Intellectual Property Crime

    Reporting computer hacking, fraud and other internet-related crime. The primary federal law enforcement agencies that investigate domestic crime on the Internet include: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) , the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco ...

  14. Crime Reporting: The First Form of Journalism

    What is Crime Reporting. Crime reporting is the first form of journalism. It is the act of writing and publishing stories about crime. Crime reporters are often the first to arrive at the scene of a crime, and they work to get the story out to the public as quickly as possible. In many cases, crime reporters can write about crimes that have not ...

  15. Electronic Tip Form

    Visit the FBI's privacy policy page for more information on the FBI's general privacy policy. If this is an emergency, call 911. Do not submit this form. This form is used to report federal crimes and submit tips regarding terrorist activity. If you are reporting Internet-based fraud, please submit a tip to IC3.gov.

  16. Criminal Division

    Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909. General Fraud and Other Criminal Matters. Contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000, or online at www.fbi.gov or tips.fbi.gov. Health Care Fraud, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, and Related Matters. Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS, or online at www.oig.hhs.gov.

  17. Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3)

    The Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, is the Nation's central hub for reporting cyber crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating cyber crime. Here on our website, you can take two vital steps to protecting cyberspace and your own online security.

  18. Using Research to Improve Hate Crime Reporting and Identification

    Hate Crime Reporting Deficit Driven by Fear, Lack of Knowledge Federal Data Captures Roughly 1 in 31 Hate Crimes. The disparity between the number of hate crime victimizations that actually occur and the number reported by law enforcement is vast and long-standing. As hate crimes continue to rise in the United States, especially in vulnerable ...

  19. Violent crime is dropping fast in the U.S.

    The overall violent crime rate, which includes murder, assault, robbery and rape, inched up around 5% in the same period. But in 2023, crime in America looked very different.

  20. US immigration and crime questions, answered by criminologists

    The survey also found that 39% of Americans don't think the migrant influx has much of an impact on crime. The Pew report is based on a survey of 5,140 adults conducted from January 16-21.

  21. Queensland government's secret polling released, revealing drop in

    Secret polling commissioned by the Queensland government costing taxpayers almost $400,000 has been publicly released, and shows voters have been unsatisfied with the state's performance on crime ...

  22. Hate Crimes

    Improving hate incident and crime reporting data is a key goal for the California vs. Hate Resource Line and Network. Reporting acts of hate allows communities and law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem in a community and put resources toward preventing and addressing attacks based on bias and hate.

  23. Biden won't be charged in classified docs case; special counsel cites

    Biden's age and presentation would make it more difficult to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the now-81-year-old was guilty of willfully committing a crime.

  24. U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release New Analysis Showing the

    More comprehensive estimates show transformative investments, if sustained, will result in $851 billion in additional revenue through 2034WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a new analysis showing the high return on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investment in rebuilding and modernizing the IRS. Taking a more comprehensive ...

  25. FinCEN Sees Increase in BSA Reporting Involving the Use of Convertible

    WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Financial Trend Analysis (FTA) today reflecting an increase in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting associated with the use of convertible virtual currency (CVC) and online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) and human trafficking. This FTA is based on BSA reporting filed between January 2020 ...