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Property Crime Trends in Bessemer, Alabama: A Decade of Change and Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Bessemer, Alabama, a community with a rich industrial history, has experienced significant changes in its property crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 14.5%, from 2,189 to 1,872. This decline occurred alongside a population growth of 8.8%, from 39,447 in 2010 to 42,922 in 2022, suggesting an overall improvement in public safety relative to the city's expansion.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a dramatic decline over the years. In 2010, there were 273 burglaries reported, which decreased to 211 by 2022, representing a 22.7% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 6.92 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 4.92 per 1,000 in 2022. Interestingly, while the number of burglaries decreased, the city's share of state burglaries increased from 1.17% in 2010 to 1.86% in 2022, indicating that the city's improvement outpaced the state average.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime, exhibited a fluctuating trend. In 2010, there were 1,753 reported cases, which decreased to 1,382 in 2022, a 21.2% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 44.44 in 2010 to 32.20 in 2022. Despite this decrease, the city's contribution to state larceny-theft increased from 2.4% to 2.97% over the same period, suggesting that the city's improvements were less pronounced than those at the state level.
Motor vehicle theft trends paint a more complex picture. The number of incidents increased from 163 in 2010 to 279 in 2022, a substantial 71.2% rise. The rate per 1,000 residents grew from 4.13 in 2010 to 6.50 in 2022. Moreover, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased significantly from 2.73% to 4.18%, indicating that this crime type became a more pressing issue for the city relative to the state average.
Arson data is limited, with figures only available for 2011 and 2022. In 2011, there were 16 reported arsons, representing 2.88% of state arsons. By 2022, this number had halved to 8, with the city's share of state arsons decreasing to 1.5%. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 0.41 in 2011 to 0.19 in 2022, suggesting a positive trend in arson prevention.
Examining correlations between crime trends and demographic factors reveals interesting patterns. The increase in population density from 977 per square mile in 2010 to 1,063 in 2022 coincides with the overall decrease in property crimes, suggesting that increased urbanization may have contributed to improved public safety. Additionally, the median income rose from $51,790 in 2013 to $57,613 in 2022, which could be associated with the decline in burglaries and larceny-thefts.
The racial composition of the city has also shifted, with the Black population increasing from 60% in 2013 to 63% in 2022, while the White population decreased from 34% to 27%. This demographic change occurred alongside the overall reduction in property crimes, though its direct impact is not clear without further analysis.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continued overall decrease in property crimes. Burglaries are projected to decline further, potentially reaching around 180 incidents annually. Larceny-theft is expected to stabilize around 1,300 cases per year. However, motor vehicle thefts may continue to rise, potentially reaching 300 annual incidents if current trends persist. Arson cases are predicted to remain low, with an average of 6-8 incidents annually.
In summary, Bessemer has shown notable improvements in most areas of property crime over the past decade, particularly in burglary and larceny-theft reduction. However, the rise in motor vehicle thefts presents a challenge that may require targeted interventions. The city's changing demographics and improving economic indicators appear to correlate with these crime trends, suggesting a complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and public safety. As Bessemer continues to evolve, maintaining focus on crime prevention strategies, especially for motor vehicle theft, will be crucial in sustaining and improving upon the overall positive trends in property crime reduction.
