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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Boonton, a small municipality in New Jersey spanning 2.34 square miles, has experienced notable fluctuations in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased from 102 to 81, representing a 20.59% reduction. During this same period, the population grew from 8,405 to 8,781, an increase of 4.47%.
Burglary trends in the city have shown significant variability. In 2010, there were 11 burglaries, which increased to 30 in 2020, before declining to 10 in 2022. This represents a 172.73% increase from 2010 to 2020, followed by a 66.67% decrease from 2020 to 2022. The burglary rate per 1,000 residents rose from 1.31 in 2010 to 3.49 in 2020, then fell to 1.14 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries increased dramatically from 0.06% in 2010 to 0.53% in 2020, before settling at 0.21% in 2022. This volatility suggests periods of heightened vulnerability followed by improved security measures.
Larceny theft, the most common property crime in the area, showed a downward trend. In 2010, there were 88 larceny thefts, which decreased to 64 in 2022, a 27.27% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 10.47 in 2010 to 7.29 in 2022. The city's contribution to state larceny thefts remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 0.13% and 0.21% over the years. This consistent decrease in larceny thefts suggests improved community vigilance and potentially more effective law enforcement strategies.
Motor vehicle theft trends have been more erratic. The number of thefts increased from 3 in 2010 to 7 in 2022, a 133.33% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 0.36 in 2010 to 0.80 in 2022. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0.03% in 2010 to 0.11% in 2022. This upward trend in motor vehicle thefts could indicate a need for enhanced vehicle security measures and targeted law enforcement efforts.
Arson incidents have been rare in the city, with only one reported case in 2010 and no reported cases in subsequent years. This suggests effective fire prevention measures and possibly strong community awareness about fire safety.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the median income increased from $104,071 in 2013 to $121,436 in 2018, property crimes decreased from 111 to 94. However, this trend reversed slightly as median income fell to $106,722 in 2022, with property crimes rising to 81. This suggests a potential inverse relationship between income levels and property crime rates.
The percentage of owner-occupied housing decreased from 69% in 2016 to 56% in 2022, coinciding with a slight increase in property crimes from 78 to 81 during the same period. This could indicate a correlation between lower home ownership rates and higher property crime rates.
Racial demographics showed some correlation with property crime trends. As the white population percentage decreased from 73% in 2013 to 66% in 2022, there was a corresponding decrease in property crimes from 111 to 81. Conversely, the Asian population increased from 9% to 10% between 2013 and 2022, while the Black population rose from 3% to 7%, suggesting that increased diversity may have a complex relationship with property crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next seven years (up to 2029, which is five years from now), we anticipate a potential stabilization or slight decrease in overall property crime rates. Burglaries are expected to remain relatively low, likely fluctuating between 8-12 incidents annually. Larceny thefts may continue their downward trend, potentially reaching around 55-60 cases per year. Motor vehicle thefts could stabilize at 5-7 incidents annually, assuming current trends persist.
In summary, Boonton has experienced a general decline in property crimes over the past decade, despite population growth. The most significant reductions were seen in larceny thefts, while motor vehicle thefts showed an increase. The correlations between property crime rates, income levels, home ownership, and racial demographics suggest that socioeconomic factors play a role in crime trends. As the city continues to evolve, maintaining community engagement, adapting law enforcement strategies, and addressing underlying socioeconomic factors will be crucial in sustaining and improving upon the overall positive trend in property crime reduction.