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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Fort Benton, located in Montana, has experienced notable fluctuations in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased from 25 to 5, representing an 80% reduction. During this same period, the population grew from 1,354 in 2010 to 1,544 in 2022, an increase of 14%.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a declining trend over time. In 2010, there were 2 burglaries reported, which decreased to 0 in 2022. This represents a 100% reduction in burglary cases. When considering population trends, the burglary rate per 1,000 people decreased from 1.48 in 2010 to 0 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated, peaking at 0.29% in 2020 before dropping to 0% in 2022. This significant decrease suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies in preventing burglaries.
Larceny-theft incidents have also decreased over the years. In 2010, there were 22 reported cases, which dropped to 5 in 2022, a 77.27% reduction. The larceny-theft rate per 1,000 people decreased from 16.25 in 2010 to 3.24 in 2022. The city's percentage of state larceny-theft cases remained relatively low, ranging from 0.04% to 0.19% over the period. This downward trend in larceny-theft could indicate improved community awareness and crime prevention efforts.
Motor vehicle theft in the city has shown fluctuations but remains relatively low. In 2010, there was 1 reported case, which increased to 3 in 2020, but dropped back to 0 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people ranged from 0 to 2.03 over the years. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts varied, reaching a high of 0.24% in 2011 before dropping to 0% in 2022. These fluctuations suggest that while motor vehicle theft is not a persistent problem, occasional spikes warrant continued vigilance.
Arson cases in Fort Benton have been consistently reported as 0 from 2010 to 2022, with no percentage of state arson cases attributed to the city. This absence of arson cases over the entire period is a positive indicator of community safety and effective fire prevention measures.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and other factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the population density increased from 590 people per square mile in 2010 to 673 in 2022, property crimes generally decreased, suggesting that increased urbanization did not lead to higher crime rates. Additionally, the median income rose from $46,962 in 2013 to $58,016 in 2022, coinciding with the overall decrease in property crimes. This could indicate that improved economic conditions may have contributed to reduced criminal activity.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continuation of the overall decreasing trend. Based on the historical data, we can project that total property crimes may stabilize at around 3-5 cases per year, with potential fluctuations. Burglary and motor vehicle theft rates are likely to remain very low or at zero, while larceny-theft may continue to be the primary form of property crime, albeit at reduced levels compared to earlier years.
In summary, Fort Benton has demonstrated a significant improvement in property crime rates over the past decade. The substantial decrease in overall property crimes, particularly in burglary and larceny-theft, coupled with the consistent absence of arson cases, paints a picture of a community that has become safer over time. These trends, when considered alongside the growth in population and median income, suggest that the city has managed to improve public safety while experiencing economic and demographic growth. As the community looks towards the future, maintaining these positive trends will be crucial for ensuring continued safety and quality of life for its residents.