Crime Statistics - NIBRS

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City of Pittsburg 2022 Crime Statistics

The Pittsburg Police Department transitioned to the federally required National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in June 2022. The following table provides NIBRS complaint crime data for the City of Pittsburg.

NIBRS July 2023 img

Historical information and more detailed offense reporting information is also available on this page.

Recent Changes in Crime Reporting

In 1929 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began collecting national crime data.

California law enforcement agencies are currently transitioning from the Summary Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) method to report crime statistics to the DOJ and FBI, and will now utilize National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

In the 1980’s, the law enforcement community called for a thorough study of FBI crime statistics with the objective of recommending an expanded and enhanced program to meet future law enforcement needs. It was determined, NIBRS would replace UCR in 2020. The implementation of NIBRS is expected to provide consistency throughout the U.S. for quantifying crime. NIBRS will also support the mission to generate reliable information to optimize law enforcement management, training, planning and research to strategically and effectively reduce crime.

What are the Differences Between UCR and NIBRS?

It is important to highlight the differences between UCR and NIBRS, as the City of Pittsburg’s crime statistics will change as a result of this new reporting method.

UCR

Consists of monthly aggregate crime counts for 8 Index crimes (Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Assault, Burglary, Larceny, Motor Vehicle Theft, Arson)
Records one offense per incident as determined by hierarchy rule
Hierarchy rule suppresses counts of lesser offenses in multiple-offense incidents
Does not distinguish between attempted and completed crimes
Collects weapon information for murder, robbery, and assault

NIBRS

NIBRS collects data about victims, known offenders, and relationships for 23 offense categories with 52 Group A subcategories. It also presents arrest data for those crimes, as well as 7 additional categories for which only arrest data is collected
Records each offense occurring in an incident, up to 10 offenses total
Distinguishes between attempted and completed crimes
Continues to collect weapon information for all violent offenses

NIBRS is capable of producing more detailed, accurate, and meaningful data because data is collected about when and where crime takes place, what form it takes, and the characteristics of its victims and perpetrators.

NIBRS UCR v NIBRS 2

What Categories and Offenses are Captured Through NIBRS?

NIBRS catagories 2

When is the Transition to NIBRS Taking Place?

The Pittsburg Police Department began submitting NIBRS data for June 2022. Law enforcement agencies are required to submit several monthly crime report submissions, with a 4% or less margin of error, in order to achieve NIBRS certification. The Pittsburg Police Department achieved certification August 2022.

What Changes Should Residents Expect as a Result of this Change?

These changes will bring improved detail and a more transparent approach to crime reporting for the public. It will also make comparing crime statistics between communities across the nation more meaningful by bringing consistency throughout the U.S. The availability of NIBRS data is also an opportunity for law enforcement to improve the way data is used to measure agency workload, outcomes, and performance.

The perception may be that the City of Pittsburg’s lower-level crime statistics have increased. This change in reporting is not expected to reflect an actual increase in crime, but rather a change in the way crimes will be reported.

Examples of incidents of crime and how they are reported under each system:

NIBRS Examples 2

Historical Information

Prior to transitioning to NIBRS, the Pittsburg Police Department reported crime statistics within UCR. Historical information related to UCR crime data is listed below.

2016-2020 UCR Comparison stats