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Property Crime Trends in Beachwood, Ohio: A Decade of Resilience Amidst Population Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Beachwood, located in Ohio, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. Over the past decade, this small city of 5.27 square miles has experienced fluctuations in its property crime rates against a backdrop of modest population growth. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 8.4%, from 489 to 448 incidents, while the population increased by 15.9%, from 11,950 to 13,846 residents.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a significant downward trend over the years. In 2011, there were 61 burglaries, which decreased to 14 in 2022, representing a 77% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 5.1 per 1,000 residents in 2011 to 1.01 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries has remained relatively low, fluctuating between 0.02% and 0.2% over the period. This substantial decrease in burglaries suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies in the city.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, has also seen a decline, though less dramatic than burglary. The number of larceny-thefts dropped from 422 in 2011 to 388 in 2022, a 8.1% decrease. However, when accounting for population growth, the rate per 1,000 residents decreased more significantly, from 35.3 in 2011 to 28.0 in 2022. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft incidents has fluctuated, reaching a high of 0.47% in 2012 and settling at 0.38% in 2022. This trend indicates that while larceny-theft remains a concern, its prevalence is decreasing relative to the growing population.
Motor vehicle theft presents a contrasting trend. Unlike burglary and larceny-theft, motor vehicle thefts have increased over time. In 2011, there were only 6 reported cases, which rose to 46 in 2022, a substantial 667% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents grew from 0.5 in 2011 to 3.3 in 2022. More alarmingly, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0.04% in 2011 to 0.2% in 2022. This trend suggests a growing problem with vehicle security or an increase in organized car theft activities in the area.
Arson incidents in the city have been rare, with only one reported case in 2014. The lack of consistent arson data makes it difficult to discern any meaningful trends for this specific crime category.
Examining correlations between crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The increase in motor vehicle thefts coincides with a rise in population density, which grew from 2,270 people per square mile in 2011 to 2,630 in 2022. This could suggest that increased urbanization may be contributing to more opportunities for vehicle theft. Additionally, the city has seen a slight decrease in the percentage of owner-occupied housing, from 63% in 2013 to 58% in 2022, which might correlate with the increase in motor vehicle thefts, as areas with more renters sometimes experience higher property crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of current patterns. Burglary and larceny-theft rates are likely to stabilize or continue their gradual decline, while motor vehicle thefts may continue to rise if current trends persist. However, increased awareness and targeted prevention measures could alter these projections.
In summary, Beachwood has experienced a mixed bag of property crime trends over the past decade. The significant reduction in burglaries and the modest decrease in larceny-thefts are positive developments, particularly in light of population growth. However, the sharp increase in motor vehicle thefts presents a growing challenge for law enforcement and residents alike. These trends, set against the backdrop of changing demographics and urbanization, highlight the complex and evolving nature of property crime in this Ohio city.
