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Property Crime Surge in Lamar, Missouri: A Decade of Decline and Economic 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
Lamar, Missouri, a small city founded in 1852, has experienced significant changes in property crime rates and population over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes in Lamar increased by 109.89%, rising from 91 to 191 incidents. During the same period, the city's population decreased by 12%, from 4,952 to 4,358 residents. This contrast between rising crime rates and declining population presents a unique situation for the community.
Burglary trends in Lamar have shown considerable volatility. In 2010, there were 22 burglaries, which peaked at 54 in 2016, before decreasing to 41 in 2022. This represents an overall increase of 86.36% from 2010 to 2022. When accounting for population changes, the burglary rate per 1,000 people rose from 4.44 in 2010 to 9.41 in 2022, a 111.94% increase. Lamar's share of state burglaries also grew substantially, from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.31% in 2022, indicating a disproportionate increase compared to state-wide trends.
Larceny theft incidents in Lamar fluctuated over the years, starting at 68 in 2010, peaking at 145 in 2014, and ending at 146 in 2022, marking a 114.71% increase. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 13.73 in 2010 to 33.50 in 2022, a 144.01% rise. The city's contribution to state larceny thefts grew from 0.06% to 0.19%, suggesting a faster increase in larceny thefts compared to the state average.
Motor vehicle theft in Lamar showed a more moderate increase, from 1 incident in 2010 to 4 in 2022, a 300% rise. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.20 to 0.92, a 357.14% jump. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.01% to 0.02%, indicating a slight increase in the city's contribution to state totals.
Arson cases in Lamar have been sporadic, with no clear trend. There was 1 case in 2010, peaking at 3 in 2015, and none reported in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people and percentage of state arsons fluctuated accordingly, with no consistent pattern emerging over the years.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong inverse relationship between property crime rates and population density in Lamar. As the population density decreased from 949 per square mile in 2010 to 835 in 2022, property crimes increased. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the decline in owner-occupied housing (from 75% in 2013 to 55% in 2022) and the rise in property crimes, suggesting a possible link between housing stability and crime rates.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's projected that by 2029, property crimes in Lamar could potentially increase by another 30-40% if current trends continue. This would result in approximately 248-267 property crimes annually.
In conclusion, Lamar has experienced a significant increase in property crimes over the past decade, particularly in burglaries and larceny thefts, despite a declining population. The disproportionate rise in the city's share of state crime statistics suggests localized factors driving these trends. The inverse relationship between population density, home ownership, and crime rates highlights potential areas for community intervention and policy focus. As Lamar looks towards the future, addressing these trends through targeted community programs and law enforcement strategies will be crucial in reversing the projected increase in property crimes and enhancing the overall safety and well-being of the city's residents.
