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Property Crime Surge in Brookwood, Alabama: Small Town Faces Big Challenges
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Brookwood, located in Alabama, presents an interesting case study in property crime trends. From 2014 to 2018, the total number of property crimes increased by 71.67%, from 60 to 103 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 10.82%, from 4,370 to 4,843 residents, indicating that crime rates outpaced population growth significantly.
Burglary trends in the city showed notable fluctuations. In 2014, there were 16 burglaries, which increased to 27 by 2018, representing a 68.75% increase. When considering population trends, the burglary rate per 1,000 people rose from 3.66 to 5.58, a 52.46% increase. The city's share of state burglaries also grew substantially, from 0.06% in 2014 to 0.16% in 2018. This disproportionate increase suggests that burglary became a more pronounced issue in the city relative to the rest of the state.
Larceny-theft incidents showed a more moderate increase over the same period. In 2014, there were 36 larceny-thefts, which rose to 54 by 2018, a 50% increase. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 8.24 to 11.15, a 35.32% rise. However, the city's share of state larceny-thefts only increased from 0.05% to 0.08%, indicating that while larceny-theft grew within the city, it remained relatively consistent with state-wide trends.
Motor vehicle theft exhibited the most dramatic increase among property crimes. From 8 incidents in 2014, it rose to 22 in 2018, a 175% increase. The rate per 1,000 people jumped from 1.83 to 4.54, a 148.09% rise. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts more than doubled, from 0.11% to 0.27%. This sharp increase suggests that motor vehicle theft became a particular concern for the city during this period.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the population density increased from 522 per square mile in 2014 to 578 in 2018, property crimes also rose, suggesting a possible correlation between population density and crime rates. Additionally, the median income increased from $50,358 in 2014 to $56,448 in 2018, while the percentage of owner-occupied housing grew from 75% to 84%. Despite these positive economic indicators, property crime rates still increased, indicating that other factors may be influencing crime trends.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of the upward trend, particularly for motor vehicle theft and burglary. If current patterns persist, the city might see motor vehicle thefts approaching 30-35 incidents annually, while burglaries could reach 35-40 cases per year. Larceny-theft is predicted to show more moderate growth, potentially reaching 65-70 incidents annually.
In summary, Brookwood has experienced a significant increase in property crimes from 2014 to 2018, with motor vehicle theft showing the most dramatic rise. This trend has outpaced population growth, suggesting underlying factors beyond demographic changes are influencing crime rates. The city's increasing share of state-wide property crimes, particularly in burglary and motor vehicle theft, indicates that these issues may require targeted attention from local law enforcement and community initiatives. As the city continues to grow and develop, addressing these property crime trends will be crucial for maintaining the safety and well-being of its residents.
