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Property Crime Trends in Belpre, Ohio: A Decade of Fluctuations and Improvements
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Belpre, Ohio, a small urban area covering 3.48 square miles, has experienced notable changes in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the city witnessed fluctuations in crime rates alongside modest population growth. Total property crimes decreased by 15.1% during this period, starting at 73 in 2010, peaking at 107 in 2016, and declining to 62 in 2022. Concurrently, the population increased slightly by 1.3%, from 9,168 in 2010 to 9,286 in 2022.
Burglary trends in Belpre showed significant volatility. The number of burglaries reached a high of 32 in 2012 but dramatically dropped to just 5 in 2022, marking an 84.4% decrease. The burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 1.53 in 2010 to 0.54 in 2022. Despite this overall decline, the city's share of state burglaries fluctuated between 0.02% and 0.07% of state totals, with the highest percentage occurring in 2015.
Larceny-theft, the most prevalent property crime in Belpre, showed less dramatic changes. The number of larceny-thefts decreased from 58 in 2010 to 54 in 2022, a 6.9% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents slightly decreased from 6.33 in 2010 to 5.82 in 2022. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft totals remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 0.04% and 0.08% over the period.
Motor vehicle theft exhibited an upward trend in Belpre, increasing from 1 incident in 2010 to 3 in 2022, a 200% rise. The rate per 1,000 residents grew from 0.11 to 0.32. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0.01% in 2010 to 0.03% in 2022, peaking at 0.1% in 2019.
Arson cases in Belpre were sporadic and infrequent, with most years reporting zero incidents. The highest number of arsons recorded was 2 in 2011, representing 0.09% of state arsons that year. Due to the low numbers, meaningful trends or rates per 1,000 residents cannot be reliably established for arson.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate inverse relationship between median income and property crime rates in Belpre. As median income increased from $37,872 in 2013 to $51,914 in 2022, overall property crime rates tended to decrease. Additionally, there seems to be a weak positive correlation between population density and property crime rates, with both showing slight decreases over time.
Applying predictive models based on historical trends, it is projected that by 2029, overall property crime rates in Belpre may continue to decline moderately. Burglaries are expected to remain low, potentially stabilizing around 3-4 incidents annually. Larceny-theft is predicted to continue its gradual decline, possibly reaching around 45-50 incidents per year. Motor vehicle thefts may stabilize or slightly increase, potentially averaging 4-5 incidents annually.
In conclusion, Belpre has shown an overall improvement in property crime rates over the past decade, with significant reductions in burglaries and modest decreases in larceny-thefts. The rise in motor vehicle thefts, while notable, remains relatively small in absolute numbers. These trends, coupled with the city's increasing median income, suggest a positive trajectory for public safety in Belpre. However, continued vigilance and community-based crime prevention strategies will be crucial to maintain and further improve these trends in the coming years.
