The Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors is asking for more federal funding for programs that support local law enforcement. Preliminary numbers for 2006 from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR) show violent crime rose 3.7 percent between January and June 2006 over the same time period in 2005, but property crimes fell.

The murder rate rose 1.4%

Property crime decreased 3.7% in counties outside metropolitan areas.

Arson increased 6.8% nationwide.

11,535 law enforcement agencies reported UCR data.

Source: FBI U.S. Crime Report, Dec. 18, 2006