Violent crime drops in Minnesota

Violent crime dropped in Minnesota last year, as part of a 1.9% national decrease, according to statistics released by the FBI this week.

The FBI reports 109 murders in the state in 2008, a six percent decrease from the previous year.

The federal agency also ranks the number of murders per capita, which many experts say provides a more accurate comparison of crime rates. About 2.1 of 100,000 Minnesotans were murdered last year. In comparison, Wisconsin's per capita rate was 2.6, or 146 total murders.

Minnesota also experienced declines in several other types of violent crime.

Motor vehicle thefts dropped by 20 percent. Robbery fell 12 percent. Reported rapes decreased by four percent.

Washington, D.C. continues to report the nation's highest per capita murder rate. Last year, the nation's capitol reported 186 murders, or 31.4 murders per capita.

North Dakota had the lowest per capita murder rate, at 0.5 murders per 100,000 residents. The state reported three murders last year.

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