South Carolina tops nation in violent crime rate according to FBI (Columbia: hotel, felony)

[g-man430]

What a bummer: The State | 09/26/2007 | S.C. first in violent crime rate (broken link)

[DJShymansky]

It's no surprise. SC's always been high on the list, especially in rural areas. This will finally push those in power to start giving police departments more funding and room to work. I know Charleston City P.D. is in the middle of a massive influx of new officers, which is long overdue. I only hope other areas of the state are doing the same.

[usc_gal98]

There was a time when I was a teen that there was one violent crime per year where I live. Now the stats have risen and it's truly a shame.


Horry County has the highest incident of motor vehicle theft. That's better than the murder rate in another county.

[ComputerUser000]

Originally Posted by g-man430

What a bummer: The State | 09/26/2007 | S.C. first in violent crime rate (broken link)

Abbeville and Abbeville County seem to be OK when it comes to crime. Sure we've had our fair share (trhe Bixby murders)....but this town seems pretty safe.

I would think that if the crime was real bad here, I'd hear about it because of where I work..

[baylovers]

The FBI bases this crime rate on the worst seven crimes known as the "7 majors": murder, attempted murder/manslaughter, rape, felony assault, grand larceny, auto theft & robbery. The methods of collecting this data is up to the departments who forward them and how they are designated which can vary from state to state & also department to department.

I have been surprised that the rate is so high here since there are states with higher populations of poverty level and drug problems.

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by baylovers

I have been surprised that the rate is so high here since there are states with higher populations of poverty level and drug problems.

Crime rates are not based on the total amount of crimes, they're based on the amount of crimes relative to the amount of people. I do agree that one number doesn't tell the whole story.

I don't know how familiar you are with SC outside of the grand strand, but gangs have long been a problem in Columbia, Florence and Sumter, at least - probably other towns as well. Besides gang/drug related crime, SC also has a problem with assault and domestic abuse.

[baylovers]

I realize that the crimes are based on per capita of 100,000 people. I guess I am just surprised that SC is higher than states like Mississippi, Arkansas etc that have slightly lower income levels. (per capita income).

I suppose I can be thankful for the Intra Coastal Waterway.... it acts like moat to keep the bad guys away.

[jrogers345]

I think another factor is that part of SC is a tourist/vacation spot.

I discovered years ago that tourist/vacation spots have a lot of crime. Particularly locals taking advantage of tourist.

A friend had gone on a vacation to Hawaii and told me it had been worse vacation she ever had. While sleeping in hotel room, person came in and robbed them and another person in her tour group was mugged and died of the injuries. Police told her there is a high crime rate in the islands but it is kept quiet so not to scare tourist away.


Unfortunately, my family knows first hand of the crime rate in SC. My nephew was murdered in North Myrtle Beach while on vacation. Shot in the head over a spilled beer. Guy might of been part of a "gang" in the sense he had to show his homies?? what happens when he is not shown "respect".

[Frankie117]

Originally Posted by anonymous

Crime rates are not based on the total amount of crimes, they're based on the amount of crimes relative to the amount of people. I do agree that one number doesn't tell the whole story.

I don't know how familiar you are with SC outside of the grand strand, but gangs have long been a problem in Columbia, Florence and Sumter, at least - probably other towns as well. Besides gang/drug related crime, SC also has a problem with assault and domestic abuse.

Gangs are a problem is most every SC town of at least 15,000. I lived in North Augusta for a number of years, and gang activity was prevailant, Greenville even has a rather large gang scene.

I also agree with one of the previous posters about touristy areas getting higher crime rates.

[JFRRACING]

If south carolina is so bad how come eveybody is talking about moving there? There must be something good about it. can't be all bad.