The personal crime rate throughout America has hit a 16-year high, with nearly 30 percent of all households report being "victimized," according to a new survey



"Americans' direct experience with crime is at a 16-year high, consistent with a gradual increase — from 22 percent in 2001 to 29 percent today — in the percentage saying that they or a household member was the victim of a robbery, vandalism or violent crime in the past year," Gallup reports.

What's more, some 16 percent that they personally have been the victim of crime, most often theft.

Gallup said the recent increase wasn't huge, but the years of increases a concern.

"Americans' self-reported experience with crime has been trending up since about 2001 and is now at a numerical high. Although not significantly higher than the 27 percent recorded in 2015, it could suggest the continuation of the upward trend and bears watching in the coming years," said the analysis.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com