CQ: La. second most-dangerous state
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Louisiana ranks as the second most-dangerous state in America — behind Nevada, according to Crime State Rankings 2008 just released by CQ Press, the publishing arm of Congressional Quarterly.
The rankings, however, always draw criticism from law enforcement professionals and academics who study trends in crime. They question its methodology and have called the report simplistic and irresponsible.
The rankings are based on crime rates for six categories: murder, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery and motor vehicle theft. Congressional Quarterly compared the state totals in each category with national norms to arrive at a relative ranking of the 50 states.
Louisiana’s ranking in Congressional Quarterly’s methodology places it 40 percent more dangerous than the national average. Nevada was 73 percent more dangerous and New Mexico and South Carolina — the next most-dangerous states — were 34 percent more dangerous.
Illinois was closest to the national average while New Hampshire was 62 percent safer than the average as the safest state and was followed by Maine, North Dakota and Vermont as the next safest states.
Last year, Louisiana ranked 41st, eight spots safer than Congressional Quarterly’s 2008 ranking.
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