Violent crime rates up in the Midlands, nationwide

Richland and Lexington counties were the most violent last year since 2011, according to federal crime reports released Monday.

Bucking a trend of declining rates in recent years, Richland’s violent crime has gone up 16 percent while Lexington has increased about 10 percent when compared to 2014, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports.

The percentages, however, only tell a part of the story.

In numbers alone, 2,357 violent crimes were committed in Richland County in 2015, 374 more than the prior year. Lexington County saw a boost of 60 violent crimes, coming in at 578 in 2015.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said it’s unrealistic to see population of grow and not expect crimes to rise as well.

“The Columbia area is not any different than anywhere else in the nation,” he said. “We have to be very realistic about it. We’re still doing a good job.”

Lott said his conversations with sheriffs and other law enforcement officials mirror each other: Too many young people with guns are getting into trouble and a jump in gang-related crimes.

Nationally, violent crime is up 4 percent in 2015 when compared to 2014, according to an annual report by the FBI. Of the more than 18,400 municipalities that could have participated in the survey, about a little over 16,600 submitted their reports.

The nation was also deadlier in 2015, with murder and non-negligent manslaughter up 11 percent.

Those changes are reflected differently in the Midlands.

There were five fewer murders in Richland County in 2015, totaling 16. Lexington County saw two more murders, totaling 15.

Locally, the most drastic change statistically involved motor vehicle thefts, which are up 22 percent in Richland County and in Columbia. In numbers, 858 vehicles were stolen from Columbia in 2015, 185 more than the prior year. Richland County saw a boost from 932 motor vehicle thefts to 1,189.

Violent crime is also up 3 percent statewide, with murders and non-negligent manslaughter up 22 percent. A total of 399 people were killed in 2015 in South Carolina, up from 311 in 2014.

This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Violent crime rates up in the Midlands, nationwide."