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Fairway, Kansas: Property Crime Trends and Motor Vehicle Theft Surge
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Fairway, Kansas, a small suburban community spanning just 1.13 square miles, has experienced notable fluctuations in property crime rates alongside population changes over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes increased by 111.54%, rising from 26 to 55 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 4.17%, from 3,263 to 3,399 residents.
Burglary trends in the city have shown significant variability. In 2010, there were 6 burglaries, which increased to 15 in 2011, before declining to just 1 in 2017. By 2022, burglaries rose again to 10 incidents. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated from 1.84 in 2010 to 2.94 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries also varied, peaking at 0.32% in 2020 before settling at 0.16% in 2022. These fluctuations suggest periodic waves of burglary activity, possibly influenced by specific local factors or law enforcement initiatives.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the area, has shown a general upward trend. Incidents increased from 19 in 2010 to 32 in 2022, a 68.42% rise. The rate per 1,000 residents grew from 5.82 in 2010 to 9.41 in 2022. However, the city's contribution to state larceny-theft figures remained relatively low, increasing slightly from 0.04% in 2010 to 0.09% in 2022. This suggests that while larceny-theft has become more prevalent locally, it remains a small fraction of the state's total.
Motor vehicle theft has seen a dramatic increase over the years. From just 1 incident in 2010, it rose to 13 in 2022, a 1200% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents jumped from 0.31 to 3.82 during this period. More significantly, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0.02% in 2010 to 0.25% in 2022. This substantial rise could indicate emerging challenges in vehicle security or organized crime activities targeting the area.
Arson cases have been sporadic, with most years reporting zero incidents. The only recorded arsons were in 2015, 2016, and 2021, each with a single case. Given the rarity of these events, it's difficult to establish a clear trend or significance in relation to the city's overall crime landscape.
Examining correlations reveals interesting patterns. The rise in property crimes, particularly motor vehicle thefts, coincides with an increase in median income, which grew from $107,610 in 2013 to $126,872 in 2022. This could suggest that the area has become a more attractive target for property crimes due to perceived affluence. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the percentage of white residents (from 95% in 2013 to 88% in 2022) and the increase in property crimes, though this relationship requires careful interpretation to avoid unfounded assumptions.
Applying predictive models based on current trends, it's projected that by 2029, the city may see around 70-75 total property crimes annually, with motor vehicle thefts potentially reaching 20-25 incidents per year if current trends continue unchecked.
In summary, Fairway has experienced a significant increase in property crimes, particularly in motor vehicle thefts, over the past decade. This trend, occurring alongside population growth and increasing median income, suggests evolving challenges in maintaining community safety. The disproportionate rise in the city's contribution to state crime statistics, especially in motor vehicle thefts, indicates a need for targeted crime prevention strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of this small but affluent community.
