U.S. Crime Statistics: According to the FBI's Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, the nation experienced a 1.8% drop in violent crime and a 2.6% drop in property crime during the first six months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Crime by region, % change by geographic region: Northeast, violent crime -5%, property -4.3%; South, violent crime -.1%, property crime +.4%; Midwest, violent crime -2.6%, property crime -5%; West, violent crime -1.6%, property crime -4.1%. Violent Crime: Each of the violent crime offense categories decreased nationwide from January to June 2007 when compared to the corresponding months in 2006. Murder, -1.1%; Forcible Rape,-6.1%; Robbery, -1.2%; Aggravated assault, -1.7%.