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Property Crime Trends in Maiden, North Carolina: A Decade of Fluctuations and Improvements
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Maiden, North Carolina, presents an interesting case study in property crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2017, the total number of property crimes fluctuated, starting at 134 in 2010 and ending at 117 in 2017, representing a 12.69% decrease. During this same period, the population grew from 10,905 to 11,752, an increase of 7.77%.
Burglary trends in the city showed a general decline over the observed period. In 2010, there were 37 burglaries, which decreased to 21 by 2017, a 43.24% reduction. When considering population growth, the burglary rate per 1,000 people dropped from 3.39 in 2010 to 1.79 in 2017. The city's share of state burglaries remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 0.04% and 0.09% over the years. This downward trend in burglaries suggests improved security measures or increased community vigilance.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, showed some fluctuation but remained relatively stable. In 2010, there were 89 larceny-thefts, which increased slightly to 93 by 2017, a 4.49% increase. However, when adjusted for population growth, the rate per 1,000 people actually decreased from 8.16 in 2010 to 7.91 in 2017. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft incidents ranged from 0.05% to 0.09%, indicating a consistent proportion of these crimes relative to the state.
Motor vehicle theft in the city showed significant volatility. Starting with 8 incidents in 2010, it dropped to a low of 1 in 2012, then peaked at 13 in 2014, before settling at 3 in 2017. This represents a 62.5% decrease from 2010 to 2017. The rate per 1,000 people followed a similar pattern, decreasing from 0.73 in 2010 to 0.26 in 2017. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts varied widely, from 0.01% to 0.15%, suggesting local factors may have influenced these fluctuations.
Arson cases in the city were rare but showed an increase towards the end of the observed period. From 2012 to 2014, there were no reported arsons. However, in 2015, 2 cases were reported, increasing to 3 in 2017. This change raised the arson rate from 0 to 0.26 per 1,000 people between 2014 and 2017. The city's contribution to state arson cases jumped significantly from 0% in 2014 to 0.44% in 2017, indicating a noteworthy increase in this serious crime.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate inverse relationship between property crime rates and median income. As median income increased from $52,141 in 2013 to $58,420 in 2019, the total property crime incidents decreased from 99 to 117 (2013-2017 data). This suggests that improving economic conditions may contribute to reduced property crime rates.
Applying predictive models based on historical trends, it's projected that by 2029, Maiden may see a continued gradual decrease in overall property crime rates. Burglaries are expected to continue their downward trend, potentially reaching around 15 incidents annually. Larceny-theft is predicted to remain relatively stable, possibly fluctuating between 80-90 cases per year. Motor vehicle theft may stabilize at around 5 incidents annually, while arson cases are projected to remain low but unpredictable, potentially averaging 1-2 cases per year.
In summary, Maiden has experienced a general decrease in property crime rates over the observed period, particularly in burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, despite population growth. The relationship between rising median income and decreasing crime rates suggests improving economic conditions may play a role in crime reduction. However, the recent uptick in arson cases warrants attention. These trends, if they continue, indicate a potentially safer community in the coming years, with the caveat that ongoing vigilance and community engagement will be crucial in maintaining and improving public safety.
