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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Butler, located in Pennsylvania, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. From 2010 to 2019, the total number of property crimes in the city decreased significantly by 61.96%, from 602 to 229 incidents. This substantial reduction occurred against a backdrop of population decline, with the city's population decreasing by 6.72% from 14,033 in 2010 to 13,090 in 2019.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a notable downward trend over the years. In 2010, there were 111 burglaries, which decreased to 38 by 2019, representing a 65.77% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 7.91 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 2.90 per 1,000 in 2019. Interestingly, while the number of burglaries decreased, the city's share of state burglaries increased from 0.43% in 2010 to 1.59% in 2019, suggesting a more significant reduction in burglaries at the state level compared to the city.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, also experienced a substantial decline. In 2010, there were 481 larceny-theft incidents, which dropped to 181 by 2019, a decrease of 62.37%. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 34.28 in 2010 to 13.83 in 2019. Despite this decrease, the city's share of state larceny-theft incidents increased from 0.62% to 1.93% over the same period, indicating that the city's reduction in larceny-theft was less pronounced than the state average.
Motor vehicle theft in the city remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 10 incidents in 2010 to 11 in 2019. However, when accounting for population changes, the rate per 1,000 residents increased marginally from 0.71 to 0.84. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.09% to 1.02%, suggesting that while the city maintained relatively steady rates, the state experienced a more significant decrease in motor vehicle thefts.
Arson cases in the city fluctuated over the years but showed no clear trend. The number of arsons remained low, ranging from 1 to 7 incidents annually. The rate per 1,000 residents varied between 0.08 and 0.52. The city's share of state arsons increased from 0.33% in 2010 to 1.80% in 2019, indicating that arson rates decreased more rapidly at the state level than within the city.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and socioeconomic factors reveals some interesting patterns. There appears to be a moderate negative correlation between median income and property crime rates. As the median income increased from $29,263 in 2013 to $35,527 in 2019, total property crimes decreased from 602 in 2010 to 229 in 2019. This suggests that improving economic conditions may have contributed to the reduction in property crimes.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continued decrease in overall property crime rates. Based on the historical data and current trends, it is projected that by 2029, the total number of property crimes could decrease by an additional 20-30% from 2019 levels. This would bring the total property crime incidents to approximately 160-183 per year.
In summary, Butler has experienced a significant reduction in property crimes over the past decade, particularly in burglaries and larceny-thefts. This positive trend has occurred despite a declining population, suggesting improved security measures or community initiatives may be contributing factors. The increase in the city's share of state crime percentages for various categories indicates that while the city has made progress, its improvements have not kept pace with state-wide reductions in some areas. The correlation between rising median income and declining property crime rates suggests that continued economic growth could further contribute to crime reduction. As the city moves forward, maintaining focus on economic development and community safety initiatives will be crucial in sustaining and improving upon these positive trends in property crime reduction.