Crime in the Capital looks Personal
Could crime be taking a more personal trend in Little Rock, Arkansas? After analyzing the difference in crime from 2014 to 2010, there appeared to be a trend of a decrease in crime that involved property related crime, along with robbery crime–two types of crime that are typically not particularly personal. While property crime and robbery crime can be completely random, and the victim may not know the criminal, in murder it is more often for the victim to know who their killer is, instead of the criminal being completely random. Although there was a decrease in those two categories of crime, there did appear to be an increase in murder total and murder rate. Why is this? Could crime in Little Rock have a different motive than other cities in Arkansas? With such a drastic increase in the murder rate and murder total from 2014 to 2010, and a just as drastic decrease in property crime and robbery total, one has to wonder why these different types of crime went off in different directions. With gang related violence being prominent in this urban city, it would make sense why murder would reign highest in this area. Additionally, while there is a decent range of HHI (household income) in Little Rock, there is notable amount of poverty levels in this area, which typically warrants more violent crime. Could this be a signal to a further increase in murder rates and murder total in Little Rock? Or rather, is this a sudden increase in murder as of just lately? While a possibility, it can be understood this is probably not the case when Little Rock has a history for this type of crime. What caused the sudden spike is unknown, but it is obvious that Little Rock has an abundance of crime with personal motives behind them.
The charts and data were correct. They could have used some polishing, with diverging colors and numeric labeling.
I had some issues with the story pitch:
“robbery crime–two types of crime that are typically not particularly personal.”
–Robbery isn’t personal? Someone sticking a gun in your face and demanding your wallet isn’t personal? You need to reword that about the assailant having a prior relationship with the victim. I think this undermines the premise of your pitch.
I really liked this part:
“With such a drastic increase in the murder rate and murder total from 2014 to 2010, and a just as drastic decrease in property crime and robbery total, one has to wonder why these different types of crime went off in different directions.”
–Looking at the diverging trends is a great way to tell interesting stories. Good catch and this should have been the main focus of your pitch.
Overall, Grade is a B.