The U.S. violent crime rate — an annual, population-adjusted measure of cases of rаpе, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — climbed by 5% in 2020. The increase was driven by a rise in aggravated assault and, most notably, a historic 29% surge in homicides that made 2020 the deadliest year in the United States since the mid-1990s.
Despite the largest single-year increase in homicides on record, the overall violent crime rate in 2020 remains relatively low by historical standards. There were 1.3 million violent crimes reported in the U.S. in 2020, or 399 for every 100,000 people. For context, the violent crime rate ranged between 523 and 758 incidents per 100,000 throughout the 1990s.
Of course, crime is a local phenomenon influenced by a wide range of factors at the community and even household level. As a result, violent crime rates in the U.S. can vary considerably from place to place — and in some towns, rates of violence far exceed the nation-level highs recorded in decades past.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 most dangerous towns in the United States. Towns are ranked by the violent crime rate — specifically, the number of violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents. We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people
Explanations for the high levels of violence in these places are varied and complex. Major current events that have impacted the entire country — such as the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest fueled by the murder of George Floyd — have likely played a role in some places. Other factors, such as a lack of economic opportunity, are more endemic.
Low-income communities in the United States are disproportionately burdened by crime. One study found that individuals with family incomes of less than $15,000 annually are three times more likely to be victimized by crime than those with family incomes of $75,000 or more. In nearly every town on this list, the share of residents living on poverty-level income exceeds the 13.4% national poverty rate. Here is a look at the city hit hardest by extreme poverty in every state.
Click here to see America’s most dangerous towns
To determine the 50 most dangerous U.S. towns, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rаpе, robbery, and aggravated assault. The rate of violent crimes per 100,000 people was calculated using population data from the FBI.
We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people — using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Limited data were available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though towns in these states were not excluded from analysis.
Additional information on the number of murders are also from the 2020 FBI UCR. Poverty rates are five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
50. Bishopville, South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,346.3
> Number of violent crimes: 40 — 677th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 29.8% — 234th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,971
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Source: dlewis33 / iStock via Getty Images
49. El Dorado, Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,375.3
> Number of violent crimes: 241 — 17th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 8 — 13th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 23.7% — 578th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 17,523
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Source: Bellemare / Wikimedia Commons
48. Garden City, Georgia
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,376.8
> Number of violent crimes: 120 — 115th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 — 31st highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 19.4% — 915th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,716
Source: catscandotcom / iStock via Getty Images
47. Fife, Washington
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,378.5
> Number of violent crimes: 142 — 75th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 12.1% — 1,704th lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,301
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Source: marco antonio torres / Wikimedia Commons
46. Bethel, Alaska
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,400.2
> Number of violent crimes: 93 — 189th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 15.9% — 1,343rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,642
Source: Better Planet Media / iStock via Getty Images
45. Ypsilanti, Michigan
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,422.9
> Number of violent crimes: 288 — 9th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 31.6% — 172nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 20,240
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Source: By Kbh3rd - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29424834 / Wikimedia Commons
44. Vinita Park, Missouri
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,461.1
> Number of violent crimes: 160 — 59th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 — 4th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 17.1% — 1,182nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,951
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
43. Covington, Tennessee
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,474.3
> Number of violent crimes: 130 — 99th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 24.7% — 514th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,818
42. Balcones Heights, Texas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,487.2
> Number of violent crimes: 50 — 497th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 31.7% — 169th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,362
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
41. Havana, Illinois
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,523.4
> Number of violent crimes: 45 — 592nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 17.3% — 1,161st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,954
Source: Hundley_Photography / iStock via Getty Images
40. South Padre Island, Texas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,551.2
> Number of violent crimes: 43 — 620th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 7.3% — 909th lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,772
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Source: Serenethos / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Lake City, Florida
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,556.1
> Number of violent crimes: 193 — 34th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 22.2% — 691st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,403
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Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
38. West Monroe, Louisiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,565.8
> Number of violent crimes: 190 — 39th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 24.6% — 524th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,134
Source: Upstateherd / Wikimedia Commons
37. Manning, South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,576.6
> Number of violent crimes: 61 — 386th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 27.7% — 320th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,869
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Source: s99 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Darlington, South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,594.6
> Number of violent crimes: 94 — 179th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 22.0% — 711th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,895
Source: Patrick Jennings / iStock via Getty Images
35. Riverview, Missouri
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,595.7
> Number of violent crimes: 45 — 592nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 17.5% — 1,142nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,820
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
34. Needles, California
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,602.6
> Number of violent crimes: 80 — 259th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 25.9% — 425th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,992
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Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
33. Forrest City, Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,633.0
> Number of violent crimes: 223 — 21st highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 29.3% — 251st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 13,656
Source: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) / Wikimedia Commons
32. Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,635.9
> Number of violent crimes: 165 — 52nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 14 — 4th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 45.2% — 18th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,086
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31. Pagedale, Missouri
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,642.3
> Number of violent crimes: 54 — 454th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 39.0% — 53rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,288
Source: Ken Badgley / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
30. Marianna, Florida
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,647.8
> Number of violent crimes: 93 — 189th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 37.8% — 69th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,644
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29. Fordyce, Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,673.1
> Number of violent crimes: 61 — 386th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 15.6% — 1,378th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,646
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Source: Aaron Manning / Wikimedia Commons
28. Bogalusa, Louisiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,689.0
> Number of violent crimes: 193 — 34th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 16 — 2nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 31.5% — 173rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,427
Source: dsrins_syb / Flickr
27. Muskegon Heights, Michigan
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,715.8
> Number of violent crimes: 184 — 44th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 36.7% — 78th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,724
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
26. Ripley, Tennessee
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,717.4
> Number of violent crimes: 132 — 96th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 — 31st highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 29.6% — 239th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,686
Source: Thinkstock / Stockbyte via Getty Images
25. Port Allen, Louisiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,725.2
> Number of violent crimes: 81 — 255th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 12.5% — 1,778th lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,695
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Source: gerrydincher / Flickr
24. Orangeburg, South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,732.0
> Number of violent crimes: 217 — 22nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 27.2% — 351st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 12,529
Source: sgoodwin4813 / Getty Images
23. College Park, Georgia
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,756.1
> Number of violent crimes: 267 — 12th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 8th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 29.5% — 247th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,204
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ffg/
22. Ecorse, Michigan
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,775.3
> Number of violent crimes: 170 — 51st highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 4 — 43rd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 33.3% — 129th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 9,576
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Source: afiler from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) / Wikimedia Commons
21. Gallup, New Mexico
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,775.4
> Number of violent crimes: 381 — 2nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 5 — 31st highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 28.4% — 287th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 21,460
Source: kickstand / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
20. Laurinburg, North Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,784.6
> Number of violent crimes: 266 — 13th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 11th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 33.8% — 119th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 14,905
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
19. Marksville, Louisiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,792.8
> Number of violent crimes: 95 — 176th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 — 24th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 41.7% — 34th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,299
Source: Mplfan, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
18. Palmview, Texas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,860.1
> Number of violent crimes: 108 — 140th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 29.6% — 241st highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,806
Source: Shadow_Hawk / iStock via Getty Images
17. Globe, Arizona
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,910.5
> Number of violent crimes: 140 — 80th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 15.8% — 1,366th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 7,328
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Source: jferrer / Getty Images
16. Highland Park, Michigan
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,919.5
> Number of violent crimes: 205 — 30th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 6 — 24th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 46.5% — 11th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,680
Source: Dan DeLuca / Wikimedia Commons
15. South Tucson, Arizona
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,974.5
> Number of violent crimes: 113 — 129th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 1 — 297th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 43.7% — 23rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,723
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Source: B.M. Hoppe / Wikimedia Commons
14. Nevada, Missouri
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,976.7
> Number of violent crimes: 163 — 55th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 0 reported — the lowest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 18.2% — 1,059th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 8,246
Source: Paul Sableman / Wikimedia Commons
13. Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,989.2
> Number of violent crimes: 206 — 28th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% — 820th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 10,356
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock via Getty Images
12. Henderson, North Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,038.9
> Number of violent crimes: 303 — 7th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 10 — 8th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 27.7% — 324th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 14,861
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Source: sirmildredpierce / Flickr
11. Allendale, South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,055.7
> Number of violent crimes: 59 — 403rd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 35.4% — 98th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 2,870
10. Salem, New Jersey
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,059.6
> Number of violent crimes: 96 — 174th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 11 — 6th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 42.2% — 32nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,661
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
9. Bolivar, Tennessee
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,248.6
> Number of violent crimes: 110 — 135th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 27.9% — 314th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,892
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/southernfoodwaysalliance/
8. Opelousas, Louisiana
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,370.4
> Number of violent crimes: 375 — 3rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 9 — 11th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 43.3% — 26th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 15,820
7. Wadesboro, North Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,375.0
> Number of violent crimes: 124 — 105th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 32.3% — 145th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 5,221
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Source: Calvin Beale / Wikimedia Commons
6. Barnwell, South Carolina
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,405.1
> Number of violent crimes: 102 — 155th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 37.5% — 72nd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 4,241
Source: Jonathunder / Wikimedia Commons
5. West Memphis, Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,507.7
> Number of violent crimes: 607 — the highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 7 — 15th highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 26.3% — 403rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 24,205
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Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
4. Florida City, Florida
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,908.8
> Number of violent crimes: 344 — 4th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 3 — 72nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 40.0% — 46th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 11,826
Source: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons
3. Osceola, Arkansas
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 2,987.6
> Number of violent crimes: 195 — 33rd highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 27.5% — 337th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 6,527
Source: Humbles Art / Wikimedia Commons
2. Benton Harbor, Michigan
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 3,192.6
> Number of violent crimes: 310 — 6th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 45.4% — 17th highest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 9,710
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Source: RUBEN RAMOS / iStock via Getty Images
1. Nome, Alaska
> Violent crimes per 100k people: 4,205.1
> Number of violent crimes: 164 — 54th highest of 3,606 towns
> Murders reported in 2020: 2 — 142nd highest of 3,606 towns (tied)
> Poverty rate: 7.5% — 936th lowest of 3,606 towns
> Population within reporting jurisdiction: 3,900
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