The Criminal Patterns of Boston Since 1849

This study is based upon the annual arrest reports of the Boston police from 1849 to 1951 for seven major crimes: murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and larceny. When the rates of these crimes are examined collectively, they show a distinct downward tendency. Murder, larceny, and assault have shown a clear decline in the last one hundred years, while burglary and robbery have shown a downward tendency, although specific events have resulted in periodic upswings, bringing these crimes to new high levels in recent years. Manslaughter increased dramatically around the turn of the century but has declined recently from these initial high levels. Only forcible rape has shown a clear tendency to increase over the last one hundred years. It is hypothesized that three types of factors have affected these crime rates. First, the attitude and policy of the police toward specific kinds of crimes is directly relevant. Second, national events like wars and economic depressions have left their imprint upon Boston's criminal patterns. Finally, structural changes accompanying urbanization-a growing middle class, a more highly urbanized population, and an envolving pattern of social organization-have all contributed to the changing pattern of serious crimes over the years.