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Property Crime Trends in Level Plains, Alabama: A Decade of Resilience Amidst Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Level Plains, Alabama, a small town with a population of 3,096 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 32 to 31 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 38.21%, from 2,240 to 3,096 residents. This juxtaposition of decreasing crime rates against population growth presents an intriguing backdrop for a deeper analysis of property crime trends in the city.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a significant downward trend over time. In 2010, there were 9 burglaries reported, which decreased to just 2 in 2022, representing a 77.78% reduction. When considering population growth, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 4.02 in 2010 to 0.65 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated, peaking at 0.14% in 2018 before declining to 0.02% in 2022. This substantial decrease in burglaries, both in absolute numbers and relative to the state, suggests improved security measures or community vigilance.
Larceny-theft incidents have shown more variability but an overall increase. From 22 cases in 2010, the number rose to 27 in 2022, a 22.73% increase. However, when adjusted for population growth, the rate per 1,000 residents actually decreased from 9.82 to 8.72. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft cases doubled from 0.03% in 2010 to 0.06% in 2022. This indicates that while larceny-theft remains a concern, its growth has not kept pace with population increases, suggesting some level of containment.
Motor vehicle theft in the city has shown considerable fluctuation. From a single incident in 2010, it increased to 8 cases in 2021 before dropping to 2 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 residents went from 0.45 in 2010 to 0.65 in 2022. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.02% in 2010 to 0.03% in 2022, with a peak of 0.14% in 2021. These variations suggest that motor vehicle theft remains a volatile issue requiring ongoing attention.
Arson data for the city is limited, with many years showing no reported incidents. However, there was one reported case in 2022, representing 0.19% of state arsons. Given the rarity of these incidents, it's challenging to establish a clear trend, but the occurrence in 2022 warrants vigilance.
Examining correlations between crime trends and socioeconomic factors reveals interesting patterns. The decrease in burglaries coincides with an increase in median income from $60,293 in 2013 to $59,029 in 2022, suggesting a potential link between economic stability and reduced property crime. Additionally, the slight decrease in homeownership from 78% in 2013 to 74% in 2022 doesn't seem to have negatively impacted overall property crime rates, indicating that other factors may be more influential in crime prevention.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential stabilization of overall property crime rates. Burglaries are expected to remain low, possibly averaging 2-3 incidents annually. Larceny-theft may see a slight increase, potentially reaching 30-32 cases per year. Motor vehicle theft is projected to fluctuate between 2-5 incidents annually. Arson cases are likely to remain rare, with possibly one incident every few years.
In summary, Level Plains has demonstrated resilience in the face of property crime, with overall rates decreasing despite significant population growth. The most notable improvement has been in burglary rates, while larceny-theft remains the most prevalent property crime. The city's ability to maintain relatively stable crime rates amidst rapid population growth suggests effective law enforcement strategies and community engagement. Moving forward, continued focus on economic development and community-based crime prevention initiatives could further enhance the city's safety and quality of life.
