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Property Crime Trends in Cameron, SC: A Tale of Fluctuation and Resilience
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Cameron, located in South Carolina, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. From 2015 to 2022, the total number of property crimes fluctuated, with a peak of 9 incidents in 2017 and a low of 2 incidents in 2015, 2016, and 2018. By 2022, the number settled at 4 incidents, representing a 100% increase from 2015. During this same period, the population decreased from 742 in 2015 to 614 in 2022, a decline of 17.25%.
Burglary trends in the city have shown significant variability. In 2015, there were no reported burglaries, but this increased to 2 incidents in 2017, representing 0.02% of the state's burglaries. By 2022, the number remained at 2, but this now accounted for 0.03% of state burglaries. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate increased from 0 per 1,000 residents in 2015 to 3.26 per 1,000 in 2022. This increase, despite a declining population, suggests a concerning trend in burglary occurrences relative to the city's size.
Larceny-theft incidents have remained relatively stable, with 2 reported cases in 2015 and 2022. However, the rate per 1,000 residents increased slightly from 2.70 in 2015 to 3.26 in 2022 due to the population decrease. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft remained minimal, consistently at or below 0.01% throughout the period. This stability in larceny-theft numbers, despite population decline, indicates a persistent, low-level issue in the community.
Motor vehicle theft showed the most dramatic fluctuation. From zero incidents in 2015 and 2016, it spiked to 4 cases in 2017, accounting for 0.08% of state motor vehicle thefts. This spike translated to a rate of 6.55 per 1,000 residents in 2017. However, by 2022, motor vehicle theft had returned to zero incidents. This volatility suggests that 2017 may have been an anomalous year, possibly due to specific circumstances or a temporary surge in criminal activity.
Arson cases were consistently reported as zero throughout the 2015-2022 period, indicating that this particular crime has not been a significant issue for the city.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong inverse relationship between property crime rates and median income. As median income rose from $30,714 in 2015 to $53,548 in 2022, overall property crime rates decreased. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between homeownership rates and crime levels. As the percentage of owner-occupied homes increased from 67% in 2015 to 92% in 2022, property crime rates generally declined, suggesting that higher homeownership might contribute to community stability and reduced crime.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we anticipate a continuation of the overall downward trend in property crime rates. Based on current trajectories, burglary rates are expected to stabilize around 2-3 incidents per year, while larceny-theft may decrease slightly to 1-2 incidents annually. Motor vehicle theft is projected to remain at or near zero, barring any unforeseen spikes similar to 2017. The city's contribution to state crime percentages is expected to remain minimal across all categories.
In summary, Cameron has experienced a complex evolution in its property crime landscape. Despite a declining population, the city has managed to maintain relatively low crime rates, with occasional fluctuations. The most significant findings include the inverse relationship between rising median incomes and declining crime rates, as well as the positive correlation between increased homeownership and reduced property crime. These trends suggest that economic improvements and community stability play crucial roles in crime prevention. As the city moves forward, maintaining focus on these socio-economic factors could be key to further reducing property crime rates in Cameron.
