http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060613.VIOLENCE13/TPStory/TPInternational/America/
ALAN FREEMAN
"2005 rates show first significant increase since 1992, FBI spokesman says. Some blame hurricane Katrina. Others say it's the fault of crystal meth, the proliferation of guns or summer temperatures. Violent crime surged in the United States in 2005 after years of decline, and experts are still searching for the cause. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported yesterday that there was a 2.5-per-cent increase in violent crimes in 2005, including a 4.8-per-cent jump in murders. Robberies rose by 4.5 per cent and aggravated assaults were up by 1.9 per cent. The only violent offence to show a decline was forcible rape, down 1.9 per cent from 2004.
The FBI would not give an estimate of the number of homicides committed in 2005, saying that the figures were only preliminary and would not be finalized until the fall."
