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Property Crime Trends in Bridgeton, Missouri: A Decade of Decline Amidst Rising Vehicle Thefts
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Bridgeton, Missouri, a city that has witnessed significant fluctuations in property crime rates over the past decade, presents an intriguing case study in urban crime dynamics. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes in Bridgeton decreased by 27.9%, from 933 to 673 incidents. This decline occurred alongside a slight population decrease of 6.5%, from 14,292 in 2010 to 13,369 in 2022. These changes suggest a complex interplay between demographic shifts and crime trends in the city.
Burglary trends in Bridgeton show a notable decline over time. In 2010, there were 78 burglaries, which decreased to 66 by 2022, representing a 15.4% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 5.46 in 2010 to 4.94 in 2022. However, the city's share of state burglaries increased from 0.24% in 2010 to 0.50% in 2022, indicating that while local burglaries decreased, they did so at a slower rate compared to the state average. This suggests that while the city has made progress in reducing burglaries, it remains an area of concern relative to state-wide trends.
Larceny-theft incidents in Bridgeton fluctuated but ultimately decreased over the period. In 2010, there were 801 larceny-thefts, which reduced to 483 by 2022, a significant 39.7% decrease. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 56.0 in 2010 to 36.1 in 2022. The city's proportion of state larceny-thefts decreased slightly from 0.70% to 0.62% over this period. This substantial reduction in larceny-theft, both in absolute numbers and relative to population, indicates effective measures in curbing this type of crime.
Motor vehicle theft trends in Bridgeton present a concerning picture. In 2010, there were 54 incidents, which increased to 124 by 2022, a substantial 129.6% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 3.78 in 2010 to 9.28 in 2022. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts also increased from 0.41% to 0.51%. This significant rise in motor vehicle thefts, both in absolute terms and relative to population, suggests a growing challenge for law enforcement and residents.
Arson incidents in Bridgeton fluctuated but remained relatively low throughout the period. In 2010, there were 5 arsons, which decreased to 2 in 2022, a 60% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 0.35 to 0.15. The city's proportion of state arsons decreased from 0.48% to 0.33%. While the low numbers make trend analysis challenging, the overall reduction in arson cases is a positive development for public safety.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate inverse relationship between median income and property crime rates in Bridgeton. As median income increased from $52,574 in 2013 to $62,769 in 2022, overall property crime rates tended to decrease. Additionally, there seems to be a weak correlation between changes in racial demographics and crime rates. For instance, as the white population percentage decreased slightly from 68% in 2013 to 62% in 2022, and the Hispanic population increased from 4% to 9%, property crime rates fluctuated but generally decreased.
Applying predictive models based on recent trends, it is projected that by 2029, overall property crime rates in Bridgeton may continue to decrease slightly, potentially reaching around 600 incidents annually. However, motor vehicle thefts are likely to remain a significant concern, potentially increasing to around 150-160 incidents per year if current trends persist.
In conclusion, Bridgeton has shown mixed results in its battle against property crime. While burglaries and larceny-thefts have seen significant reductions, the alarming increase in motor vehicle thefts presents a new challenge. The city's efforts in reducing overall property crime rates despite population changes are commendable. However, the increasing share of state crime in certain categories suggests that Bridgeton may be facing unique challenges compared to other parts of Missouri. Moving forward, targeted strategies to address motor vehicle theft, while maintaining the positive trends in other areas, will be crucial for improving public safety and quality of life in Bridgeton.
