Loading Content...
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Kearny, New Jersey, a vibrant community of 41,157 residents as of 2022, has experienced notable fluctuations in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 3.13%, from 895 to 867 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 2.30%, from 40,230 to 41,157 residents, indicating a slight improvement in overall property crime rates relative to population growth.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a significant downward trend. In 2010, there were 151 burglaries, which decreased to just 30 in 2022, representing an 80.13% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 3.75 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 0.73 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries decreased from 0.87% in 2010 to 0.63% in 2022, indicating that burglary rates improved more rapidly here than in the state overall. This substantial decrease suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies targeting burglaries.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, showed more volatility but an overall increase. In 2010, there were 631 larceny-theft incidents, which rose to 724 in 2022, a 14.74% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents increased from 15.68 in 2010 to 17.59 in 2022. Notably, the city's share of state larceny-thefts rose from 1.33% to 2.00% during this period, indicating that this type of crime became relatively more prevalent here compared to the state average. This trend may suggest a need for targeted prevention strategies focusing on petty theft and shoplifting.
Motor vehicle theft rates fluctuated but remained relatively stable over the period. In 2010, there were 113 incidents, which remained almost unchanged at 113 in 2022. However, when adjusted for population growth, the rate per 1,000 residents slightly decreased from 2.81 to 2.75. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 1.14% to 1.73%, indicating that while local rates remained stable, they worsened relative to state trends. This could suggest that the city might benefit from enhanced vehicle security measures or targeted law enforcement efforts.
Arson cases in the city have been relatively rare and showed a decreasing trend. From 8 incidents in 2010 (0.20 per 1,000 residents), arson cases dropped to 0 in 2022. The city's share of state arson cases fell from 1.77% to 0%, indicating a significant improvement in this area relative to state trends. This positive development might be attributed to improved fire safety measures or more effective arson prevention and investigation techniques.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the Hispanic population increased from 43% in 2013 to 55% in 2022, there was a corresponding decrease in overall property crime rates, suggesting no direct correlation between ethnic composition and crime rates. However, the rise in median income from $75,480 in 2013 to $79,474 in 2022 coincided with the overall decrease in property crimes, potentially indicating that improved economic conditions may contribute to lower crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of the overall decreasing trend in burglaries and arsons. Larceny-theft rates are predicted to stabilize or slightly increase, while motor vehicle theft rates may see a modest uptick if current trends persist. However, these predictions should be interpreted cautiously as they don't account for potential policy changes or unforeseen economic shifts.
In conclusion, Kearny has shown resilience in managing property crime rates despite population growth. The significant reduction in burglaries and arsons, coupled with the stability in motor vehicle thefts, reflects positively on the community's safety initiatives. However, the increase in larceny-thefts presents an ongoing challenge. As the city continues to evolve demographically and economically, maintaining focus on crime prevention strategies, particularly for larceny-theft, will be crucial in ensuring the continued safety and security of its residents.