Crime in rural America has increased. Rural law enforcement officers have been killed at a greater rate than that of large urban areas during the last five years. Crime rates are dropping in large cities because Crime is moving from urban to rural areas. Large cities get the lion's share of federal law enforcement dollars earmarked for cities and towns. Property crimes such as larceny, burglary, and auto theft have increased in rural areas because The mobility of our society and the economic conditions in rural areas.
Criminals realize there is less law enforcement coverage thus reduced potential for arrest.
Hate-crime related arson in rural areas is a national concern. Many rural law enforcement agencies are understaffed, which limits their ability to deter criminal activity. Also limits their ability to send officers to long management courses far from their community. If rural gangs follow the same pattern as their urban counterparts, we can expect to see an increase in aggravated assaults in rural areas. Clandestine drug labs increased from 94 to 242.