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Property Crime Trends in Belle Isle, Florida: A Decade of Improvement 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
Belle Isle, Florida: A Case Study in Declining Property Crime Belle Isle, located in Florida, presents an interesting case study in property crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2020, the city experienced a significant decrease in total property crimes, dropping from 149 to 92 incidents, representing a 38.3% reduction. This decline occurred against the backdrop of population growth, with the city's population increasing from 9,875 in 2010 to 11,723 in 2020, a 18.7% increase.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a remarkable downward trend. In 2010, there were 60 burglaries reported, which decreased to just 13 in 2020, marking a 78.3% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 6.08 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 1.11 per 1,000 in 2020. Interestingly, the city's share of state burglaries fluctuated over this period. In 2010, it accounted for 0.07% of state burglaries, peaked at 0.09% in 2013, and then declined to 0.04% by 2020. This suggests that the city has become relatively safer in terms of burglaries compared to the state average.
Larceny theft also demonstrated a declining trend, though less pronounced than burglaries. The number of larceny thefts decreased from 72 in 2010 to 57 in 2020, a 20.8% reduction. When adjusted for population, the rate dropped from 7.29 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 4.86 per 1,000 in 2020. The city's contribution to state larceny thefts remained relatively stable, ranging between 0.02% and 0.05% throughout the decade, indicating that the city's performance in this category aligns with state trends.
Contrary to the trends in burglary and larceny theft, motor vehicle theft showed an increase over the decade. In 2010, there were 17 reported cases, which increased to 22 in 2020, a 29.4% rise. When adjusted for population, the rate slightly decreased from 1.72 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 1.88 per 1,000 in 2020. However, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased significantly, from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.1% in 2020, suggesting that this crime type has become a relatively larger issue for the city compared to state averages.
Arson data for the city shows zero incidents reported throughout the entire period from 2010 to 2020, indicating that arson is not a significant concern for the community.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The decline in overall property crime rates coincides with an increase in median income, which rose from $64,127 in 2013 to $68,275 in 2020. Additionally, the percentage of owner-occupied housing increased from 76% in 2013 to 81% in 2020. These trends suggest that improving economic conditions and higher rates of homeownership may contribute to lower property crime rates.
The racial composition of the city has also shifted during this period, with the white population decreasing from 73% in 2013 to 63% in 2020, while the Hispanic population increased from 15% to 24%. However, there doesn't appear to be a strong correlation between these demographic changes and property crime trends.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continuation of the overall declining trend in property crimes. Burglary and larceny theft are expected to continue decreasing, potentially reaching historic lows. However, motor vehicle theft may continue to pose a challenge, with rates potentially increasing or stabilizing at current levels.
In summary, Belle Isle has demonstrated significant improvements in property crime rates over the past decade, particularly in burglary and larceny theft. These positive trends, coupled with economic improvements and increased homeownership, paint a picture of a community becoming safer and more stable. However, the rise in motor vehicle thefts presents an area for focused attention in the coming years. As the city continues to grow and evolve, maintaining these positive trends while addressing emerging challenges will be crucial for ensuring the continued safety and well-being of its residents.
