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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Easton, located in Pennsylvania, has experienced significant changes in property crime rates and population over the past decade. From 2010 to 2018, the total number of property crimes decreased by 51.1%, from 793 to 388 incidents. During this same period, the population grew slightly from 27,278 to 27,396, an increase of 0.43%.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a substantial decline over time. In 2010, there were 108 burglaries, which decreased to 38 by 2018, representing a 64.8% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 3.96 to 1.39 per 1,000 residents. The city's share of state burglaries also declined from 0.42% in 2010 to 0.29% in 2018. This significant decrease in burglaries suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies targeting this type of crime.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, also experienced a notable decrease. In 2010, there were 641 larceny-theft incidents, which dropped to 325 by 2018, a 49.3% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 23.50 to 11.86. The city's proportion of state larceny-theft incidents fell from 0.83% to 0.50% during this period. This decline in larceny-theft could indicate improved surveillance and security measures in retail and public spaces.
Motor vehicle theft showed fluctuations but an overall decrease. In 2010, there were 44 incidents, which decreased to 25 by 2018, a 43.2% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 1.61 to 0.91. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts decreased slightly from 0.41% to 0.30%. This trend might reflect improved vehicle security technologies and increased awareness among residents.
Arson cases in the city have been relatively low but variable. In 2010, there were 6 reported arsons, which decreased to 1 by 2018, an 83.3% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 0.22 to 0.04. Interestingly, the city's proportion of state arson cases fluctuated significantly, from 0.99% in 2010 to 0.12% in 2018, with a peak of 1.39% in 2013. These fluctuations in such low numbers make it difficult to discern a clear trend but suggest that arson is not a persistent problem in the city.
A strong correlation exists between the overall decrease in property crimes and the increase in median income. From 2013 to 2018, the median income rose from $53,184 to $60,174, a 13.1% increase, while property crimes decreased by 46.4%. This suggests that improved economic conditions may contribute to reduced property crime rates.
Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the white population percentage (from 57% in 2013 to 55% in 2018) and the Hispanic population increase (from 21% in 2013 to 23% in 2018) with the overall reduction in property crimes. This demographic shift coincides with the crime reduction, possibly indicating changing community dynamics or improved integration and community policing efforts.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's estimated that by 2029 (five years from now), the city could see a further reduction in property crimes by approximately 30-35% from 2018 levels. This would bring the total number of property crimes to around 252-271 annually, assuming current trends and interventions continue.
In summary, Easton has demonstrated a significant and consistent decrease in property crime rates across all categories from 2010 to 2018. This positive trend, coupled with population growth and increasing median income, suggests a city experiencing improved safety and economic conditions. The correlation between demographic shifts and crime reduction highlights the importance of community dynamics in public safety. As the city continues to evolve, maintaining and building upon these positive trends will be crucial for sustained improvements in public safety and quality of life for its residents.