Crime Data in Context


April 2, 2015

The FBI is encouraging its state and local law enforcement partners to participate in a program that would provide context to the country’s crime data.


Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The FBI is encouraging its state and local law enforcement partners to participate in a program that would provide context to the country’s crime data. Assistant Director Steve Morris says the National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, makes it possible to identify trends, adjust resources, and even deter crime.

Stephen Morris: It's extremely powerful—data is powerful. The more you have, the more you can draw from it.

Halpern: As part of an initiative with the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the FBI will seek to add a scientific sample of 400 law enforcement agencies to the 6,000 or so already voluntarily submitting NIBRS data.

NIBRS was created in 1991, but not all of the country’s law enforcement agencies participate—largely because of a lack of resources. The FBI is looking into ways to help agencies with the costs. No time frame is set.

Morris: All I know is we need to get there as soon as we possibly can, and the FBI is doing everything we possibly can to help agencies get there.

Halpern: With FBI, This Week, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau.

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