High Crime in Nevada

Las Vegas NBC affiliate KVBC reports about a recent study finding that for the fourth year in a row Nevada tops the list of most dangerous states. From KVBC:

The report's publisher admits these rankings are controversial, but argues rates are what they are. For example, the survey pits Nevada's 8.56 murders for every 100,000 people against the national average which 5.6.

Add the statistics for rape, robberies, assault, burglaries and auto theft, which are all far above the national average, and that's how we got to where we are.

That struck me as odd. I was thinking Louisiana (post-hurricane), Missouri or New Jersey. Places that have reputations for being rough. But then this little bit clued me into the forces behind the high crime:

We've got rapid growth. And with that growth comes growing pains. Other southwest states also came near the top; New Mexico ranks second and Arizona follows behind in third place.

Hmm. So the top three crime-ridden states are in the southwest. Is it a coincidence that these states all deal with a massive illegal immigration problem? And isn't it funny how the article makes no mention of the immigration issue. No, because that would offend the very illegals in the the station's DMA. It's okay to report the crime...as long as we don't offend the people responsible for it.

Makes lots of sense.