Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Jenks, Oklahoma: Resilience Amid Rapid Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Jenks, Oklahoma, a city experiencing rapid population growth, has witnessed evolving property crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes increased by 16.1%, from 261 to 303 incidents. During this same period, the population surged by 67.1%, growing from 18,776 to 31,372 residents. This significant population growth provides important context for understanding the city's crime statistics.
Burglary trends in Jenks have shown notable fluctuations. The number of burglaries increased from 50 in 2010 to a peak of 108 in 2018, before returning to 50 in 2022. Despite these fluctuations, the burglary rate per 1,000 people decreased from 2.66 in 2010 to 1.59 in 2022, indicating an overall improvement relative to population growth. However, Jenks' share of state burglaries increased from 0.16% to 0.31% during this period, suggesting that local improvements didn't keep pace with statewide reductions.
Larceny-theft incidents have shown a more stable trend. The number of larceny-thefts increased slightly from 195 in 2010 to 213 in 2022. However, the rate per 1,000 people decreased significantly from 10.39 to 6.79, demonstrating substantial improvement relative to population growth. The city's percentage of state larceny-thefts increased from 0.28% to 0.40%, indicating that local improvements weren't as pronounced as those at the state level.
Motor vehicle theft in Jenks has seen an upward trend. The number of motor vehicle thefts increased from 16 in 2010 to 40 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people remained relatively stable, changing from 0.85 to 1.28. However, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased significantly from 0.18% to 0.39%, suggesting that this crime type has become a growing concern relative to state trends.
Arson incidents in Jenks have been sporadic and relatively low. The city reported no arsons in most years, with occasional incidents of one or two in some years. Consequently, the rate per 1,000 people and percentage of state arsons have fluctuated but remained very low throughout the period.
Examining demographic correlations, there appears to be a strong inverse relationship between the decreasing percentage of white residents (from 81% in 2013 to 68% in 2022) and the increasing Asian population (from 3% to 10% over the same period). This demographic shift coincides with the overall increase in property crimes, although a direct causal relationship cannot be established without further investigation.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a continuation of recent patterns. Burglaries are likely to remain stable or slightly decrease, while larceny-thefts may see a modest increase in total numbers but a continued decrease in rate per capita. Motor vehicle thefts are projected to continue their upward trend, potentially becoming a more significant concern for local law enforcement.
In summary, Jenks has experienced complex property crime trends against a backdrop of rapid population growth. While some crime types like burglary and larceny-theft have shown improvements relative to population growth, motor vehicle theft has emerged as a growing challenge. The city's changing demographic composition coincides with these crime trends, suggesting potential areas for community engagement and targeted crime prevention strategies. As Jenks continues to grow, maintaining focus on property crime prevention, especially in areas showing upward trends, will be crucial for ensuring community safety and maintaining quality of life for its residents.
