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Property Crime Trends in Hazelwood, Missouri: A Decade of Fluctuations and Challenges
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Hazelwood, Missouri, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 17.4%, from 932 to 770 incidents. During this same period, the population experienced a slight decrease of 2.9%, from 25,940 to 25,184 residents.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a significant downward trend over the years. In 2010, there were 185 burglaries, which decreased to 78 by 2022, representing a 57.8% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 7.13 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 3.10 per 1,000 in 2022. Interestingly, while the overall number of burglaries decreased, the city's share of state burglaries fluctuated. In 2010, the city accounted for 0.57% of state burglaries, which increased to 0.59% by 2022, suggesting that while local efforts may have reduced burglaries, the city's relative contribution to state totals remained fairly stable.
Larceny theft also demonstrated a declining trend. In 2010, there were 678 incidents, which decreased to 401 by 2022, a 40.9% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 26.14 in 2010 to 15.92 in 2022. The city's share of state larceny thefts decreased from 0.60% in 2010 to 0.52% in 2022, indicating that the local reduction outpaced the state average.
Contrary to the downward trends in burglary and larceny theft, motor vehicle theft showed a significant increase. In 2010, there were 69 incidents, which rose to 291 by 2022, a staggering 321.7% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents jumped from 2.66 in 2010 to 11.55 in 2022. More alarmingly, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased dramatically from 0.52% in 2010 to 1.20% in 2022, suggesting a localized issue that outpaced state trends.
Arson cases in the city have remained relatively low and stable. In 2010, there were 2 reported cases, and by 2022, this number remained the same. The rate per 1,000 residents stayed consistent at around 0.08. The city's share of state arsons fluctuated but remained low, increasing slightly from 0.19% in 2010 to 0.33% in 2022.
Examining correlations between crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the percentage of white residents decreased from 58% in 2013 to 46% in 2022, and the percentage of black residents increased from 32% to 42% over the same period, there was a corresponding increase in motor vehicle thefts. This correlation suggests potential socioeconomic factors at play, rather than a direct causal relationship.
The median income in the city increased from $50,965 in 2013 to $58,713 in 2022, a 15.2% rise. This increase in income correlates with the overall decrease in property crimes, particularly burglary and larceny theft, suggesting that improved economic conditions may have contributed to reduced property crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continuation of current patterns. Burglary and larceny theft are likely to continue their downward trend, potentially reaching 60 and 350 incidents respectively by 2029. Motor vehicle theft, if left unchecked, may continue to rise, potentially reaching 350-400 incidents annually. Arson cases are expected to remain low and stable.
In summary, Hazelwood has shown mixed results in its property crime trends from 2010 to 2022. While burglary and larceny theft have significantly decreased, the alarming rise in motor vehicle thefts presents a challenge for local law enforcement. The correlations between demographic changes, income levels, and crime rates highlight the complex interplay of socioeconomic factors in shaping crime trends. As the city moves forward, addressing the spike in motor vehicle thefts while maintaining the positive trends in other property crime categories will be crucial for ensuring public safety and community well-being.
