There might be some comfort to salvage in the FBI’s crime report for the first half of 1976 in that there were 12 per cent fewer murders. 10 per cent fewer robberies, and assault and rape cases took a 1 per cent downtrend. But an ll per cent increase in the “larceny-theft” category tended to diminish the impact of the decrease in violent crimei As Attorney General Edward H. l.evi assessed the report. there was a net over-all increase in crime 7 ”a clear reminder that all segments of the criminal justice system must continue working to solve the problem.” The trend in recent years has been upward at alarming proportions. For 1975. over-all serious crime level was 10 per cent above the level for 1974. and l974’s was 18 per cent above 1973. The big cities continue to be the most fertile field for major crime, judging by the FBI report. For example, robberies dropped 16 per cent in suburban areas and 19 per cent in rural areas during the first six months of 1976. But in cities of over 1 million population the drop was only 1 per cent. Similarly. murders dropped 13 per cent in suburbs, 21 per cent in rural areas, 20 per cent in cities between 250,000 and 500,000 population, but only 3 per cent in cities with over 1 million population. The large cities were mainly responsible for the substantial boost in larceny – theft cases with a 16 per cent boost in those of 1 million or more population. The rise was 8 per cent in rural areas, 9 per cent in suburbs, and 9 per cent in cities between 500,000 and 1 million population. The Herald agrees with Mr. Levi that all segment of the criminal justice system must spur their anti – crime efforts and would add this: Every family has a stake in law and order and a responsibility in promoting it, When everyone accepts his responsibility in this direction, the crime rate is bound to turn downward.