How to Avoid Being the Victim of Violent Crime

| August 25, 2016 

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1024;s:6:"height";i:685;s:4:"file";s:41:"2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-336x225.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:225;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-771x516.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:516;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-768x514.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:514;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:39:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-465x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:465;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-396x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:396;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:41:"4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:476621;s:14:"optimized_size";i:211221;s:7:"percent";d:55.68;}s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:69:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:294735;s:14:"optimized_size";i:100646;s:7:"percent";d:65.849999999999994;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6128;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4425;s:7:"percent";d:27.789999999999999;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-336x225.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:16816;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11357;s:7:"percent";d:32.460000000000001;}s:5:"large";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-771x516.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:58488;s:14:"optimized_size";i:30553;s:7:"percent";d:47.759999999999998;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-505x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:29954;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18589;s:7:"percent";d:37.939999999999998;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:17354;s:14:"optimized_size";i:10972;s:7:"percent";d:36.780000000000001;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-465x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:26859;s:14:"optimized_size";i:16834;s:7:"percent";d:37.32;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-396x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:21098;s:14:"optimized_size";i:14071;s:7:"percent";d:33.310000000000002;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:77:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/02/4121423119_63b9282331_b_crime-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5189;s:14:"optimized_size";i:3774;s:7:"percent";d:27.27;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1636095521 
1472141613

Most of us probably don’t want to think about our chances of becoming the victim of a violent crime. But Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD recently explored the idea and what people can or should do to avoid becoming a statistic. Recent studies show that violent crime is on the rise in America, and 2016 homicide numbers in Birmingham are on pace with last year, the highest number of homicides the city has seen since 2008. But does this mean you have a higher chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime?

 

Boeing machinists approve contract, bringing an end to a bruising seven-week strike

Striking machinists voted to approve an agreement that will hike wages by 38%. The deal was endorsed by union leaders, who warned that Boeing’s next offer might be worse.

States and cities beef up security to prepare for potential election-related violence

Washington state's governor activated the National Guard to stand by to help local law enforcement as needed. Meanwhile, extra security is in place at locations across Washington, D.C.

When will mail-in and absentee ballots be counted?

Various state rules regarding when election officials can process and count mail ballots means it will likely take some time after Election Day before the results from these ballots are fully known.

When do polls close in every state? Here’s a timeline

The Associated Press can't call any races until polls close in their respective state. Here's a breakdown of when that will happen.

How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?

Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.

Thousands of Pennsylvania voters have had their mail ballot applications challenged

Thousands of last-minute challenges to voters’ mail ballot applications, along with baseless claims by former President Donald Trump, are adding pressure on Pennsylvania county officials.

More Front Page Coverage