| In November of 2009, compiled a list of the most | | | | In addition to drug-related crimes, each of the |
| dangerous cities in the United States. By analyzing FBI | | | | country's most dangerous cities is also home to its |
| crime data from cities with more than 500,000 | | | | own particular problems. These are not recent |
| residents, Forbes ranked each city in terms of | | | | developments, however. The cities on the list have |
| murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, | | | | been riddled with crime for decades, as once-bustling |
| and other violent crimes. | | | | cities face declining populations, resulting in a city with |
| According to this study, Detroit, Michigan is currently | | | | few resources and a high level of crime. This |
| the most dangerous city in the country. Known for a | | | | phenomenon has been repeatedly cited in the case |
| long history of violence dating to the 1960s, and | | | | of Detroit and its loss of the automotive industry, for |
| current gang fights, Detroit has one of the highest | | | | example. Particularly with the current economic |
| murder rates in the country. Other cities in the top 5 | | | | climate, it seems like few of the hardest-hit cities will |
| include Memphis, Miami, Las Vegas, and Stockton, | | | | be making any big improvements in the way of |
| California. The top 10 list includes New Orleans, | | | | safety anytime soon. Hard-hit governments find it |
| Louisiana - not surprising, considering the upheaval | | | | even more difficult to come up with the money for |
| caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In 2009, Gary | | | | crime prevention and public safety. |
| Indiana dropped from the infamous top spot, which it | | | | What can be done about rising crime rates in |
| held for several years, to the number three spot. | | | | America's most dangerous cities? This past spring, |
| Gary's crime rate, including high statistics of rape and | | | | President Obama met with Mexican President Felipe |
| burglary, leave something to be desired. Also coming | | | | Calderon to discuss ways to fight the drug war. In |
| in at the top of the list are North Charleston (South | | | | addition to stronger police forces and other |
| Carolina), Richmond (California), Birmingham (Alabama), | | | | large-scale change, there are ways to protect |
| Flint (Michigan), and Oakland (California). | | | | yourself from violent crime. Whether you live in an |
| All five of the country's most dangerous cities in | | | | urban area known for rising crime rates, or in a |
| 2009 are known drug transit points for Mexican drug | | | | relatively isolated subdivision, you can be proactive |
| cartels, according to the Department of Justice. Drug | | | | about your self defense. No matter where you live, |
| gangs fighting over territory can be found in each of | | | | it's important to be aware of those around you. Use |
| these dangerous cities, including violence resulting | | | | common sense home protection methods, such as |
| from the Mexican drug feud that already causes the | | | | locking windows and doors, and installing adequate |
| deaths of 10,000 Mexican citizens each year. | | | | outdoor lighting. For additional protection, install |
| Stockton, in particular, has seen a recent increase in | | | | security alarms, or place a dummy security camera |
| drug gangs and related crimes over the past few | | | | outside your home. Carry pepper spray or a stun gun |
| years, as it becomes known as a transit point for | | | | in your bag. Crime can happen anywhere, at any |
| drugs entering the country from Mexico. | | | | time, even if your city did not make the top ten list. |