Crime and Quality of Life

I'm proud of these statistics showing that Lincoln, Nebraska has steadily lowered its crime rate for the past 17 years. The rate dropped from 71.4 per 1000 in 1991 to 40.1 per 1000, down to 1970's levels. That's not to say we don't have serious problems. We certainly have victims, whose pain should never be minimized. Of course there are criminals who revel in malice and violence, or suffer from inadequate mental health care and unresolved social problems. But the residents of Lincoln can expect a high overall quality of life (known in Nebraska as "The Good Life"). Enforcement officers can't do it alone and I think everyone, including the thousands of students who come from other places for college, deserve a pat on the back for rejecting crime and making Lincoln a great place to live. For a visitor's view of Nebraska, visit Carey Smith's inspirational blog, Going the Distance!: Nebraska...The Good Life (Posted November 4, 2007).