TBI Releases Annual School Crimes Report



NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation today released its annual study dedicated to crime in Tennessee’s schools. Produced by TBI’s Crime Statistics Unit, the study spans a three-year period between 2009 and 2011 and is based on numbers submitted by Tennessee law enforcement agencies to the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS). The state’s first ever school crimes study was released in May of 2009.

The reported number of crimes that occurred at schools decreased by 5.5% from 2010 to 2011 and there was an overall decrease of 6.7% between 2009 and 2011.

There were 12,435 crimes reported at schools in 2011 compared to 13,155 in 2010. This report is based on incidents submitted by law enforcement agencies and excludes offenses reported by colleges and universities. Those statistics are compiled in TBI’s “Crime on Campus” report that was released earlier this year.

“School Crimes Report” Quick Facts

 • 2.2% of all crime reported by Law Enforcement Agencies statewide for 2011
showed a location code of School.

• Simple Assault was the most frequently reported offense.

• The reported number of crimes occurring at schools decreased by 5.5% from
2010. There were 12,435 crimes reported in 2011 compared to 13,155 in 2010.

• Crimes Against Persons decreased by 4.3% from 2010 to 2011.

• Crimes Against Property decreased by 8.2% from 2010 to 2011.

• Crimes Against Society decreased by 3.6% from 2010 to 2011.

• More crimes occurred on Friday (19.9%).

• More crimes occurred between 12 pm – 1 pm (11.4%).

• Most crimes resulted in no injuries to the Victim (58.9%).

• Acquaintance was the most frequently occurring relationship between Victim and
Offender (46.6%).

• The most frequently reported Arrestee gender for 2011 was Male (73.0%).

• Personal Weapons (hands, feet, teeth) were the most frequently used weapon
type (76.8%) for offenses requiring a weapon entry.

• A knife was used 7.5% of the time. A firearm was used 2.3% of the time.

• The average age for Arrestees for 2011 was 16.0.

• The average age for Offenders for 2011 was 16.7. The average age excludes
Unknown Offenders.

• The average age for Victims for 2011 was 21.5. The average age excludes the
age of Neonate, Baby, and Unknown.

It is important to understand the characteristics surrounding school crime and its offenders and victims. This understanding will help schools, policy makers, law enforcement and the public learn how to better combat crime that occurs at these institutions.

To view the “School Crimes Report” for 2011 in its entirety, go to the TBI website at www.tbi.tn.gov. Click on “Crime Statistics” from the homepage, then click on the “Statistical Analysis Center” fly-out. The study is listed under “Specialized Reports” on the Statistical Analysis Center webpage.