Inside Report (5)

Crime hasn't been a big issue in Election '80. Perhaps that's because the problem isn't as bad as some crime-fighters suggest. From 1973 to 1979, the FBI reported a 32.9 percent leap in US crime. But the census Bureau, in surveys of crime victims nationwide, found the increase was only 5.9 percent. Further, some major crimes were down, including robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft.

The census figures are considered more accurate. Justice officials, troubled by the differences, are looking for ways to bring the reports closer together.m