The rate of violent crime in the United States tumbled for the fifth straight year in 2011, despite lingering unemployment which usually translates to a spike criminal activity. FBI data released Monday showed murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault declined nationally last year compared to 2010. Murder did tick up in the Midwest and in cities with populations of less than 10,000, The Associated Press reported. While experts don't dispute the larger drop in crime, some see signs that the trend is ending. "The picture for January to June looked terrific," Northeastern criminology professor James Alan Fox told The AP. "For the entire year, it's very different. Maybe we're reaching the end of the trough in declining crime levels." The preliminary data is based information from more than 14,000 law enforcement agencies. Final figures are set to be released in the fall.
