murder increased by 2.1% across the USA during the first 6 months...

murder increased by 2.1% across the USA during the first 6 months of 2005 and was on track to nearly reverse a 2.4% decline recorded last year, according to preliminary FBI figures released today.
The largest spikes over the same period in 2004 occurred in some of the nation's smallest cities - population 10,000 or less - where homicides were up 13%, the report found.
Murder and robbery were the only major crimes to increase in the preliminary review of 10,374 agencies. The review showed overall decreases in violent and property crimes, continuing a decade-long decline.
Some experts suggest that the ills that have long plagued urban America - gangs, drugs and the proliferation of weapons - were taking root in the suburbs.
Explaining fluctuations in crime, especially violent crime, has proved to be difficult. While murder increased 13% in towns with fewer than 10,000 people, murder declined 16% in towns only slightly larger, between 10,000 and 24,999 residents.
Killings related to domestic violence, gang activity and robberies are all up this year.