New FBI Crime Data Shows Missouri is Suddenly Getting Safer?

I always strive to be honest with you and I'll honestly say that when I saw the new crime data just released by the FBI, I was more than a little surprised to see that it appears to show Missouri is suddenly getting safer. Much safer according to the numbers.

The FBI just shared new data in the "Crime Explorer". I turned my focus on Missouri and was very surprised to see that the state appears to be trending much safer in their year-over-year comparison. Here's the best example I can show that reveals the big drop from 2021 through 2022 which is the most recent year where the FBI has a complete year of data. Missouri violent crime is in blue, while the national violent crime rate is in black.

Focus in on the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 and you'll see the violent crime trend I'm talking about. By the numbers, Missouri is really getting safer when it comes to violent crime.

The breakdown of where violent crime in Missouri happens is interesting. Notice the large amount of convenience store incidents.

It's also tragic how much violent crime in Missouri happens between acquaintances. I suppose any violent crime is awful, but disturbing when it happens between friends and/or family members.

If you judge Missouri purely by the numbers shared by the FBI, the state is technically getting safer even if the perception doesn't always seem to be that way.