According to a recent U.S. News & World Report, Tennessee ranks fourth in the nation for violent crime rates. JC Bowman, executive director of the Professional Educators of Tennessee, commented on additional Research that legislators have begun paying closer attention to…

Ongoing crime is black-eye for communities, but changes can be made… Crime creates fear among residents, but improved public policy can help change that. Bowman told WGNS he believes that effective policies and strong community engagement are essential to addressing crime, but education must serve as the key foundation for improving public safety.

According to the report, Tennessee records 628 violent crime cases per every 100,000 residents. The property crime rate stands at 2,362 incidents per 100,000 residents. New Mexico ranked highest in the nation for violent crime, with 749 violent crime victims per 100,000 residents—only 121 more than Tennessee. New Mexico also had a significantly higher property crime rate, with 2,887 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 526 more than Tennessee’s.

Coming in at number two on the list was Colorado, where 474 out of every 100,000 people were victims of violent crime. Although Colorado’s violent crime rate is lower than Tennessee’s, the state reported 2,879 property crimes per 100,000 residents—517 more than Tennessee.

At number three was Louisiana, where the violent crime rate was also lower than Tennessee’s at 548 victims per 100,000 residents. However, Louisiana had a higher property crime rate of 2,630 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Bowman highlighted key items needed to lower crime:

• Investment in early education corresponds with lower crime rates and improves literacy.

• Better-funded schools lead to improved outcomes and reduced arrest rates. 

• High School Dropouts are more likely to commit a crime due to limited job prospects without a diploma.

Overall, the educational leader suggests better education leads to reduced crime rates.