Crime in border cities is lower than non-border cities, according to FBI data

New statistics from the FBI’s 2023 Uniform Crime Report reveal US border communities are safer than big cities in states that don’t border Mexico. Here’s a look at the violent crime rate which includes – murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. 

Cleveland had 1,700 crimes committed per 100,000 people, New Orleans 1,300 and Washington D.C. about 1,050. The national average in 2023 was 363 crimes per 100,000 people. 

Texas border communities were far lower than those larger cities and in many cases below the national average. 

Laredo had 425, Brownsville 391, El Paso 336, and McAllen had 144 violent crimes per 100,000 people.  

The data was provided to Straight Arrow News by Congressman Henry Cuellar, who represents Texas’ 28th Congressional District which goes from San Antonio all the way to the southern border. 

Cuellar said in a statement: “I’ve lived my entire life and raised my family along the southern border. Every year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation releases crime statistics that show how crime rates are lower in border communities compared to non-border cities across the United States.” 

The Texas border cities also had a significantly lower murder rate. 

New Orleans had about 53 murders per 100,000 people, Washington DC and Cleveland were both at nearly 39. The national average in 2023 was 5.7 murders per 100,000 people. 

The Texas border communities were all below that – the highest being El Paso at 5 and Laredo at about 4. 

Cuellar stated: “Our border remains safe and secure because of the efforts from our federal, state, and local law enforcement. It is imperative that our officers continue to be supported. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fund programs that support our law enforcement and protect our communities.” 

Nationwide, crime decreased in 2023. Overall violent crime went down by 3 percent compared to the year before, while murders decreased by more than 11%. I’m Ray Bogan for Straight Arrow News, for more unbiased reporting, download the SAN app and turn on notifications.