Violent Crime Down in SC

Violent Crime in South Carolina is on the decrease.  That’s according to a report released today by  the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.  SLED Chief Mark Keel says the rate of violent crime decreased 2.2 percent in 2011 compared to 2010.  Keel says while the rate has decreased overall, some categories of violent crime have increased.  Murders in South Carolina increased by 21.1 percent from 2010 to 2011. Keel adds that in 2010, South Carolina had the lowest murder rate since the state began tracking the statistics in 1975.  The figures used in the report came from sheriff’s departments and police departments statewide.  Chief Keel says the increase in the murder rate shows there is still much to be done in the state.