Cost of Crime
During 1997, losses estimated at nearly $500
million were attributed to robberies.  The
value of property stolen averaged $995 per
robbery, up from $921 in 1996.  Average
dollar losses in 1997 ranged from $576 taken
during robberies of convenience stores to
$4,802 per bank robbery.  (Federal Bureau of
Investigation. (released November 22, 1998).  Crime in the
United States, Uniform Crime Reports, 1997, p. 29. 
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.)

The dollar value of property stolen in
connection with property crimes in 1997 was
estimated at over $15.6 billion.  The average
loss per offense in 1997 was $1,311, slightly
more than the 1996 figure of $1,266.  In
1997, law enforcement agencies nationwide
reported a 37 percent recovery rate for dollar
losses in connection with stolen property.  
(Ibid., pp. 7 & 38)

Based on information from 11,461 law
enforcement agencies, nearly 81,753 arson
offenses were reported in 1997.  The average
dollar loss of property damaged due to
reported arsons was $11,294.  The overall
average loss for all types of structures was
$19,804.  (Ibid., p. 56)

During 1997, the estimated value of motor
vehicles stolen nationwide was more than $7
billion.  The average value per vehicle at the
time of theft was $5,416.   In relating the
value of vehicles stolen to those recovered,
the recovery rate for 1997 was 67 percent.  
(Ibid., p. 52)

The National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse estimates that of the $38
billion in correctional expenditures in 1996,
more than $30 billion was spent
incarcerating individuals who had a history
of drug and/or alcohol abuse, were convicted
of drug and/or alcohol violations, were high
on drugs and or alcohol at the time of their
crime, or committed their crime to get
money to buy drugs.  (Ibid., citing National Center
on Addiction and Substance Abuse, (1998, January).
Behind Bars:  Substance Abuse and America's Prison
Population. New York: Columbia University.)

Personal crime is estimated to cost $105
billion annually in medical costs, lost
earnings and public program costs related to
victim assistance.  When pain, suffering, and
the reduced quality of life are assessed, the
costs increases to an estimated $450 billion
annually.  Violent crime results in lost wages
equivalent to one percent of American
earnings.  (Miller, T., Cohen, M., & Wiersema, B.
(1996, February). Victim Costs and Consequences: A New
Look. Washington, DC:  National Institute of Justice, U.S.
Department of Justice.)

Violent crime causes three percent of U.S.
medical spending and 14 percent of injury-
related medical spending. (U.S. News and World
Report, July 1, 1996.)

Insurers pay $45 billion annually due to
crime -- roughly $265 per American adult. 
The U.S. government pays $8 billion
annually for restorative and emergency
services to victims, plus perhaps one-fourth
of the $11 billion in health insurance
payments. (Ibid.)
Direct costs of alcohol-related crashes are
estimated at $45 billion yearly.  It is also
estimated that an additional $70.5 billion is
lost in quality of life due to alcohol-related
crashes. (Miller T. & Blincoe, L.  (1994).  "Incidence
and Cost of Alcohol-involved Crashes."  Accident Analysis
& Prevention, Vol 26, Number 5.)
Note:  OVC makes no representation concerning the
accuracy of data from non-Department of Justice sources.