Preliminary figures : U.S. violent crime in 2008 declined 2.5 percent from 2007 . It declined 4.4 percent but rose in towns of fewer than 10,000 people . Drop in violent crime would be third consecutive year - to - year decline . The statistics are based on a compilation of crime reports provided to the FBI by the more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies in the nation . Violent crime in the U.S. has largely been declining over the past two decades .
Preliminary figures : U.S. violent crime in 2008 declined 2.5 percent from 2007 . It declined 4.4 percent but rose in towns of fewer than 10,000 people . Drop in violent crime would be third consecutive year - to - year decline . Violent crime in the U.S. has largely been declining over the past two decades .