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Property Crime Trends in Copperas Cove: 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
Copperas Cove, Texas, a city with a rich history and growing population, has experienced significant changes in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 39.2%, from 1,075 to 654 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 15.3%, from 38,595 to 44,519 residents, creating an interesting dynamic between crime rates and population growth.
Burglary trends in the city show a substantial decline over the years. In 2010, there were 258 burglaries, which decreased to 89 in 2022, representing a 65.5% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 6.68 per 1,000 people in 2010 to 2.00 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated, starting at 0.15% in 2010, peaking at 0.20% in 2012, and declining to 0.11% by 2022. This significant drop in burglaries suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime, also showed a downward trend. Incidents decreased from 803 in 2010 to 506 in 2022, a 37% reduction. The rate per 1,000 people dropped from 20.81 to 11.37 over the same period. The city's proportion of state larceny-theft cases remained relatively stable, ranging between 0.12% and 0.17%, indicating that the local trend generally aligned with state-wide patterns. This decrease could be attributed to enhanced community awareness and improved security technologies.
Motor vehicle theft, while less prevalent, showed a different pattern. Incidents increased from 14 in 2010 to 59 in 2022, a 321% rise. The rate per 1,000 people grew from 0.36 to 1.33. Notably, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0.03% to 0.07%, suggesting a local trend that diverged from the state average. This increase might indicate a need for targeted prevention measures and increased vigilance in vehicle security.
Arson cases fluctuated over the years but showed an overall decrease. From 14 incidents in 2010, the number dropped to 9 in 2022, a 35.7% reduction. The rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.36 to 0.20. However, the city's share of state arson cases increased from 0.33% to 0.41%, indicating that while local incidents decreased, they did so at a slower rate than the state average. This trend suggests that while improvements have been made, arson prevention might require continued attention.
Analysis reveals a strong correlation between property crime trends and population density. As the population density increased from 2,140 per square mile in 2010 to 2,469 in 2022, overall property crime rates decreased, suggesting that increased urbanization did not lead to higher crime rates in this case. Additionally, there appears to be a correlation between the rise in median income (from $59,625 in 2013 to $59,668 in 2022) and the decrease in property crimes, particularly burglaries and larceny-thefts.
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 and larceny-thefts are expected to maintain their downward trajectory, potentially reaching historic lows. However, motor vehicle thefts may continue to rise if current trends persist, necessitating targeted interventions. Arson cases are predicted to stabilize or slightly decrease.
In summary, Copperas Cove has made significant strides in reducing overall property crime rates despite population growth. The substantial decreases in burglaries and larceny-thefts are particularly noteworthy and reflect positively on community safety efforts. However, the rise in motor vehicle thefts presents a challenge that may require specific attention. As the city continues to grow and evolve, maintaining these positive trends while addressing emerging concerns will be crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
