Pubdate: Sat, 11 Jun 2005
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
37/1017/NEWS
Copyright: 2005 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Beth Rucker, Associated Press

MURDERS DOWN 11%, DRUG OFFENSES UP ALMOST 7% IN 2004 STATE CRIME REPORT

Murders were down in Tennessee last year, while drug offenses were on the
rise, a state report released yesterday shows. The annual Crime in Tennessee
report shows that 350 murders were reported last year, 44 fewer than in
2003, or an 11.2% reduction. More than half of those murders happened at
residences, and a fifth were related to domestic incidents.

Agencies reported 38,981 drug violations, 2,471 more than in 2003, a 6.8%
jump. The increase in drug violations may not specifically be related to
increases in methamphetamine cases, said Jennifer Johnson, a spokeswoman for
the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. "I think meth is a contributing
factor," Johnson said. "However, with all the talk about meth, people forget
that marijuana and cocaine are a big problem in the state." Of the drug
offenses, more than 9,000 were marijuana, 2,300 were crack and 1,500 were
meth. The TBI probably will require agencies to report more specific
information about meth offenses in the future, Johnson said. The total
number of criminal offenses reported increased by 3% in 2004, from 597,049
to 614,850. More than a quarter of those offenses were crimes against a
person, such as murder, rape or assault, and more than 60% were crimes
against property, such as burglaries. Data for Crime in Tennessee are
compiled from monthly crime statistics reported by city, county and special
jurisdiction agencies across the state. 
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