Flint mayor Dayne Walling is not disputing new FBI data that shows his city had the highest violent crime rate in the nation in 2010. Flint set a record for homicides last year. The city’s arson rate also soared topping the FBI’s list in that category too.
Mayor Walling says the FBI crime report was not a surprise.
“Many of these violent crimes were committed by and against people who knew each other and often lived in the same house. There will never be enough police officers to put one at every kitchen table.”
Walling believes efforts to encourage Flint residents and churches to take an active role in reducing crime will begin to bear fruit later this year.
Detroit posted the nation’s second worst violent crime rate last year. Toledo came in second on the FBI's arson list.