Matthew Gore

In the following viewpoint, Matthew Gore argues that the rate of violent crime in the United States is decreasing. Gore asserts that there have several reasons why crime is becoming less of a problem, including changing demographics and anti-crime legislation. However, he notes that this decline is not widely known because it is not reported in the media, which tends to sensationalize crime. Gore is a features writer and associate editor for the Prison Mirror.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to statistics cited by the author, by how much did the rate of violent crime decrease between 1993 and 1998?
2. According to Gore, what is one of the likeliest reasons for the declining crime rate?
3. What might happen if American society does not take the time to find out why crime exists, in Gore’s opinion...