Wow. FBI report says Massachusetts is the most violent state in the northeast. (Boston: crime rate, safe area)

[CaseyB]

"Massachusetts retained its status as the most violent state in the Northeast, according to a report released Tuesday morning by public health advocates and based on statistics compiled by the FBI.

In its biennial report that studies health care trends in the state, the Massachusetts Health Council said approximately 30,000 violent crimes were committed in Massachusetts in 2009 or 456 violent crimes per 100,000 people, making it the highest per capita crime rate in the Northeast."

FBI report says Massachusetts is most violent state in Northeast - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger.

[miu]

Interesting. I'd still much rather live in Boston or Cambridge than in Baltimore, Washington, DC and parts of NJ and NYC. But probably crime in places like Lawrence, Lowell, Roxbury and Mattapan are outweighing the good parts of MA.

And if this study means less outsiders moving to MA, then that's fine with me.

[ogre]

It's not surprising that MA would have one of the higher crime rates among Northeastern states, because a higher percentage of our population lives in metropolitan areas than is the case in northern New England, NY State, or PA. I'm surprised by the number one ranking, though. I would have guessed that New Jersey would have the highest crime rate in the region, and that maybe Maryland would be second.

Unless you live in a local area with a lot of crime, I think there's little to worry about. I think MIU is probably right about local areas with high concentrations of crime. Many other local spots are very safe, and there should be little danger for people living in the safe areas.

Something else reassuring is that this study indicates that MA has the highest rate only in the Northeast region. However, the Northeast has one of the lower crime rates of any region in the country, so you're probably safer here than in states ranking in the middle of some high-crime regions.

[HenryAlan]

Definitely not surprising. The more urban states should have higher crime rates. Also, I'm not at all bothered by it. I very rarely feel unsafe.

[DarkWolf]

Our crime rate has been dropping , only Camden is considered very dangerous...and the only city within the Top 30 most Dangerous cities. Most of the state is pretty safe , despite what the suburbanites say. The NJ Gold Coast is one of the safest dense Urban areas in the Country , i think there crime rate is lower then Bostons.

[ogre]

Nexis, interesting info. When I said I would have guessed NJ would have the highest crime rate in the Northeast, that's exactly what it was: a guess, based on population density and the state's position between two major matro areas. Always good to get the facts, though.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by ogre

Nexis, interesting info. When I said I would have guessed NJ would have the highest crime rate in the Northeast, that's exactly what it was: a guess, based on population density and the state's position between two major matro areas. Always good to get the facts, though.

so Massachusetts how are those toughest in the nation gun laws working out for you?

At least the criminals get to carry them.

[Mac_Muz]

North East probably means the 6 New England States.

[seeriously]

I agree with Mac Muz. "Northeast" means New England and where's the surprise here? Gee, MA is more violent than Maine, NH, or Vermont not to mention RI or CT. I'm shocked.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by verobeach

I agree with Mac Muz. "Northeast" means New England and where's the surprise here? Gee, MA is more violent than Maine, NH, or Vermont not to mention RI or CT. I'm shocked.

Read the article, it doesn't refer to just New England.