Frequently Asked Questions
The data found on Crime in Rhode Island Online represents crime reported to local and state law enforcement agencies and is not an exhaustive report of all crime that occurs. It is important to consider the various factors that lead to crime activity and crime reporting in a community before interpreting the data. Without these considerations the available data can be deceiving. Factors to consider include population size and density, economic conditions, employment rates, prosecutorial, judicial, and correctional policies, administrative and investigative emphases of law enforcement, citizens’ attitudes toward crime and policing, and the effective strength of the police force.
Since crime is a sociological phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, the Rhode Island State Police discourages ranking locations or making comparisons as a way of measuring law enforcement effectiveness. Some of this data may not be comparable to previous years because of differing levels of participation over time. Ranking locations by crime rate is inherently misleading.
Wrongfully obtaining and/or using another person’s personal data (e.g., name and date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number). This offense includes opening a credit card, bank account, etc. using a person’s information.
This offense should not be confused with Impersonation (26C) (falsely acting in the character or position to unlawfully deceive others to gain a profit or advantage; when impersonating another person, the offender would not be in possession of another person’s personal data).
Inducing a person by force, fraud, or coercion to participate in commercial sex acts, or in which the person induced to perform such act(s) has not attained 18 years of age.
All juveniles should be considered a victim of human trafficking if considered to be induced to perform commercial sex acts.
Human trafficking involves “exploitation” of the individual. Not every human trafficking incident should be based on the commercial sex act alone.
Survival sex is counted (Sex acts for food, shelter, etc.).
The obtaining of person(s) through recruitment, harboring, transportation, or provision, and subjecting such persons by force, fraud, or coercion into involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery (not to include commercial sex acts).
Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly taking an action that mistreats or kills any animal without just cause, such as torturing, tormenting, mutilation, maiming, poisoning, or abandonment. Included are instances of duty to provide care, e.g., shelter, food, water, care if sick or injured; transporting or confining an animal to fight with another; inflicting excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering, e.g., uses objects to beat or injure an animal. This definition does not include proper maintenance of animals for show or sport; use of animals for food, lawful hunting, fishing or trapping.
The Offense Distribution Report shows the number of the selected offense(s) distributed by the victim/offender relationship. The relationship field is required for Crimes Against Persons or Robbery when the Victim Type code is Individual. (Based on NIBRS Technical Specifications 2019.2)
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