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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Goodwater, Alabama, a small town with a population of 2,363 in 2016, experienced a significant increase in property crime between 2015 and 2016. The total number of property crimes rose from 9 to 20, marking a 122.22% increase, despite a 5.37% decrease in population. This trend presents a unique case study in small-town crime dynamics.
The burglary rate in Goodwater saw a notable increase from 2015 to 2016. While there were no reported burglaries in 2015, 6 cases were recorded in 2016, resulting in a rate of 2.54 burglaries per 1,000 residents. The city's contribution to Alabama's total burglaries increased from 0% to 0.03%, indicating a new concern for property security within the community.
Larceny-theft incidents showed a slight increase over the observed period. The number of cases rose from 9 in 2015 to 10 in 2016, resulting in a marginal increase in the larceny-theft rate from 3.60 to 4.23 per 1,000 residents. The city's share of state larceny-theft cases remained constant at 0.01%, suggesting that this trend was consistent with broader state patterns.
Motor vehicle theft emerged as a new concern in 2016. While there were no reported cases in 2015, 4 incidents were recorded in 2016, resulting in a rate of 1.69 thefts per 1,000 residents. The city's contribution to state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0% to 0.06%, indicating a disproportionate rise compared to state averages.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and socioeconomic factors reveals interesting patterns. The increase in property crimes coincided with a decrease in median income from $24,310 in 2015 to $23,347 in 2016, suggesting a potential link between economic hardship and crime rates. Additionally, the percentage of owner-occupied housing units decreased from 73% to 70%, which could indicate a connection between property ownership and crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years suggests a potential continuation of the upward trend observed from 2015 to 2016. If socioeconomic conditions remain similar, the city might expect to see further increases in burglary and motor vehicle theft rates, while larceny-theft may continue to show modest growth.
In summary, Goodwater experienced a significant increase in property crimes from 2015 to 2016, particularly in burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. These trends occurred against a backdrop of declining population and median income, suggesting complex socioeconomic factors at play. The disproportionate increase in the city's contribution to state crime statistics, especially in motor vehicle thefts, highlights areas that may require targeted intervention strategies. As the community moves forward, addressing these property crime trends while considering the underlying economic and demographic changes will be crucial for enhancing public safety and community well-being.