Loading Content...
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Dover, New Jersey, a small but densely populated municipality with a rich history and diverse community, has experienced notable changes in its property crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2020, total property crimes decreased significantly by 70%, from 337 to 101 incidents. This substantial reduction occurred alongside a modest population increase of 0.08%, from 18,207 to 18,191 residents during the same period.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a consistent downward trend. In 2010, there were 93 burglaries, which decreased to 19 by 2020, representing a 79.6% reduction. When accounting for population changes, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 5.11 in 2010 to 1.04 in 2020. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated, accounting for 0.54% of state burglaries in 2010, dropping to 0.34% by 2020. This suggests that while burglary rates improved locally, the city's progress was somewhat in line with statewide trends.
Larceny-theft incidents also saw a significant decline over the decade. In 2010, there were 222 larceny-thefts reported, which decreased to 72 by 2020, marking a 67.6% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 12.19 in 2010 to 3.96 in 2020. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft figures decreased from 0.47% in 2010 to 0.23% in 2020, indicating that the city's improvement in this category outpaced the state average.
Motor vehicle theft in the city showed a less dramatic but still positive trend. The number of incidents decreased from 22 in 2010 to 10 in 2020, a 54.5% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 1.21 to 0.55 over the same period. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts fluctuated, starting at 0.22% in 2010, peaking at 0.36% in 2015, and then decreasing to 0.18% by 2020. This suggests that while improvements were made, they were not as consistent as in other property crime categories.
Arson incidents were rare in the city, with no reported cases from 2010 to 2017. However, there was a notable increase in 2018 and 2019, with one case each year, representing 0.54% and 0.56% of state arson incidents, respectively. In 2020, there was a spike to 3 cases, accounting for 1.96% of state arsons. While the numbers are small, this sudden increase warrants attention from local law enforcement.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The steady decrease in property crimes coincided with a gradual increase in median income, rising from $79,700 in 2013 to $90,750 in 2020. This suggests that improved economic conditions may have contributed to reduced property crime rates. Additionally, the Hispanic population, which makes up the majority of the city's residents, remained relatively stable at around 68-70% during this period, indicating that demographic stability might have played a role in the crime reduction trends.
Applying predictive models based on the observed trends, it's projected that by 2029, the city could see further reductions in property crimes. Burglaries and larceny-thefts are likely to continue their downward trajectory, potentially reaching historic lows. Motor vehicle thefts may stabilize or show modest decreases. However, the recent uptick in arson cases suggests that this category could remain a point of concern, potentially requiring targeted prevention strategies.
In conclusion, Dover has made significant strides in reducing property crime over the past decade, outpacing state averages in several categories. The correlation between rising median incomes and falling crime rates suggests that continued economic development could further enhance public safety. As the city moves forward, maintaining these positive trends while addressing emerging challenges like the recent increase in arson cases will be crucial for ensuring the continued well-being of its diverse community.