In 1997 the overall crime rate in North Carolina decreased 1 percent compared with the 1996 rate. Property crimes (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) decreased 1 percent, and the murder rate decreased by 5 percent. The rate of violent crimes increased 3 percent, fueled by a 5-percent increase in the robbery rate. Looking at the 5-year trend (1993-97), the rate of violent crimes has decreased 11 percent, and the murder rate has decreased 29 percent. There were 42 hate crimes committed in 1997. One table shows the number of hate crime incidents, offenses, victims, and offenders by bias motivation. Data on the value of property stolen are presented by month, by type and by month, and by type of offense. Other data address the value of property stolen and recovered by type, total and average property loss by index offense, and the value of property stolen and recovered by county. Arrest data are presented by age, with data for juveniles aged 15 and under and juveniles under age 18 presented for 5-year and 10-year arrest trends. Separate data are presented for drug arrests. In 1997 five law enforcement officers were feloniously killed while performing their duty. A table shows the number of law enforcement officers killed in various situations from 1988 to 1997. Also presented are the criminal histories of persons identified in the killing of North Carolina law enforcement officers from 1988 to 1997. The background of incident-based reporting and incident-based offenses by agency are presented for 1996-97. Extensive tables and figures