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Property Crime Trends in Crest Hill, Illinois: A Decade of Significant Decline
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Crest Hill, Illinois, a city with a population of 24,205 as of 2022, has experienced fluctuating property crime rates over the past decade. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 45.3%, from 393 to 215 incidents. During this same period, the population increased slightly by 1.3%, from 23,887 to 24,205 residents.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a significant downward trend. In 2011, there were 108 burglaries, which decreased to 23 in 2022, representing a 78.7% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 4.52 per 1,000 residents in 2011 to 0.95 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated but overall decreased from 0.19% in 2011 to 0.14% in 2022. This substantial reduction in burglaries suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies in the area.
Larceny-theft incidents also decreased over time, though less dramatically than burglaries. In 2011, there were 268 larceny-thefts, which reduced to 160 in 2022, a 40.3% decrease. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 11.22 in 2011 to 6.61 in 2022. Interestingly, while the number of larceny-thefts decreased, the city's share of state larceny-thefts remained relatively stable, moving from 0.16% in 2011 to 0.16% in 2022. This suggests that while the city improved its larceny-theft rates, the improvement was in line with state-wide trends.
Motor vehicle theft showed a more complex pattern. The number of incidents increased from 17 in 2011 to 32 in 2022, an 88.2% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 0.71 in 2011 to 1.32 in 2022. Despite this increase, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts fluctuated, rising from 0.07% in 2011 to 0.11% in 2022. This trend indicates that motor vehicle theft has become a growing concern in the city, potentially requiring targeted interventions.
Arson cases in the city remained relatively low but showed some variation. In 2011, there was 1 reported case, and this number remained the same in 2022. However, there were fluctuations in between, with a peak of 5 cases in 2015. The rate per 1,000 residents remained stable at about 0.04 for both 2011 and 2022. The city's share of state arson cases increased from 0.11% in 2011 to 0.15% in 2022, suggesting that while arson remains infrequent, it has become slightly more prevalent relative to state figures.
A notable correlation exists between property crime trends and median income. As median income increased from $61,102 in 2013 to $72,198 in 2022, total property crimes decreased from 327 to 215 during the same period. This suggests that improving economic conditions may contribute to lower property crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), the city may see a further reduction in burglaries and larceny-thefts if current trends continue. However, motor vehicle thefts could potentially increase if not addressed. Arson cases are likely to remain low but may require vigilance to prevent any upticks.
In summary, Crest Hill has made significant strides in reducing overall property crime rates, particularly in burglaries and larceny-thefts. The correlation between rising median income and decreasing property crime suggests that continued economic growth could further enhance public safety. However, the increase in motor vehicle thefts presents a challenge that may require targeted strategies. As the city moves forward, maintaining focus on economic development while addressing specific crime trends will be crucial for sustaining and improving public safety.
