Detroit & Flint Top List of 10 Most Dangerous Cities in U.S. Where Violence Linked with Poverty

24/7 Wall Street review finds 2010 FBI crime data shows correlation between violent crimes and poverty rates, with Detroit & Flint topping the list of 10 most violent cities in U.S.

The FBI recently released a statement saying violent crime is down in many cities across the U.S., but the Police Executive Research Forum begs to differ. The group polled 233 local law enforcement agencies in 2009 and found that the link between poverty and crime was inextricable, according to MSNBC. Add the recession from which are a slowly recovering to the mix and it makes matters worse.

A 24/7 Wall St. review of 2010 FBI crime data shows violent crime rose in several of the largest and poorest cities in the U.S., particularly those which have been in decline for some time. Even when crime rates dropped, older urban areas still had more violent crime than other cities. Philadelphia, Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, Buffalo, N.Y., and Hartford, Conn., finished high on the FBI’s list but failed to make the final 24/7 Wall St. ranking.

10. Stockton, Calif.
Population: 292,047
Violent crime per 1,000: 13.8
2010 murders: 49

9. Rockford, Ill.
Population: 156,180
Violent crime per 1,000: 14.5
2010 murders: 20

8. Baltimore, Md.
Population: 639,929
Violent crime per 1,000: 14.6
2010 murders: 223

7. Little Rock, Ark.
Population: 192,922
Violent crime per 1,000: 15.2
2010 murders: 25

6. Oakland, Calif.
Population: 409,723
Violent crime per 1,000: 15.3
2010 murders: 90

5. Memphis, Tenn.
Population: 673,650
Violent crime per 1,000: 15.4
2010 murders: 89

4. New Haven, Conn.
Population: 124,856
Violent crime per 1,000: 15.8
2010 murders: 22

3. St. Louis, Missouri
Population: 355,151
Violent crime per 1,000: 17.5
2010 murders: 144

2. Detroit, Michigan
Population: 899,447
Violent crime per 1,000: 18.9
2010 murders: 310

1. Flint, Michigan Population: 109,245
Violent crime per 1,000: 22
2010 murders: 53   Source:  MSNBC

Poverty will always be a part of our society on some level.That's just the way it is, but as a country, we have to make a concerted effort to provide more opportunities to the residents in the inner cities who face the highest unemployment rates due to a lack of training. There is a serious societal breakdown that is evident in all the cities in the Top 10 list. Politicians have failed their constituents in these poorer communities and some of the people have failed themselves as well. Whatever happened to pulling yourself up by the bootstrap? I know it's bigger than personal responsibility, but that plays a small role as well.