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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Metropolis, Illinois, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. Over the period from 2010 to 2022, the city experienced fluctuations in its total property crime incidents, with a notable decrease from 278 in 2010 to 178 in 2022, representing a 36% reduction. During this same period, the population declined by 9.2%, from 11,522 in 2010 to 10,466 in 2022, adding complexity to the crime rate analysis.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a general downward trend, with some fluctuations. In 2010, there were 50 burglaries, which decreased to 26 in 2022, a 48% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 4.34 in 2010 to 2.48 in 2022. Interestingly, the city's share of state burglaries increased from 0.09% in 2010 to 0.16% in 2022, suggesting that while local burglaries decreased, they did so at a slower rate than the state average. This trend indicates improved local security measures but also highlights the city's growing proportion of state burglaries.
Larceny-theft incidents have also decreased over time, from 226 in 2010 to 135 in 2022, a 40.3% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 19.61 to 12.90 over the same period. The city's percentage of state larceny-thefts remained relatively stable, changing from 0.13% in 2010 to 0.13% in 2022. This suggests that the city's larceny-theft trends are largely in line with state-wide patterns, indicating that local factors affecting this crime type are similar to those at the state level.
Motor vehicle theft showed a more complex pattern. While the number of incidents increased from 2 in 2010 to 17 in 2022, the rate per 1,000 residents grew from 0.17 to 1.62. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.01% to 0.06% during this period. This significant increase, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of state crimes, suggests that motor vehicle theft has become a more pressing issue for the city, possibly due to changes in local conditions or criminal activity patterns.
Arson cases in the city have remained relatively low but variable. The number of incidents decreased from 4 in 2010 to 2 in 2022, with the rate per 1,000 residents changing from 0.35 to 0.19. The city's percentage of state arsons decreased from 0.38% to 0.30%. While the overall trend shows a decrease, the low numbers make it difficult to draw strong conclusions about long-term patterns.
Examining correlations between crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The decline in property crimes coincides with a decrease in population density, from 1,913 per square mile in 2010 to 1,738 in 2022. This suggests that lower population density may be associated with reduced property crime rates. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the increase in median income from $52,392 in 2013 to $53,421 in 2022 and the overall decrease in property crimes, indicating that improved economic conditions may contribute to lower crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next seven years (up to 2029) suggests a continued overall decrease in property crimes. Based on current trends, we can expect burglaries to potentially decrease further to around 20 incidents per year, while larceny-theft might stabilize at approximately 120 cases annually. Motor vehicle thefts, however, may continue to rise, potentially reaching 25 incidents per year. Arson cases are expected to remain low, with 1-2 incidents annually.
In conclusion, Metropolis has shown a general improvement in its property crime situation over the past decade, with significant reductions in burglaries and larceny-thefts. However, the rise in motor vehicle thefts presents a new challenge for local law enforcement. The correlations between crime rates, population density, and economic factors suggest that continued focus on economic development and community planning could further enhance public safety. As the city moves forward, maintaining vigilance in crime prevention strategies, particularly for motor vehicle thefts, will be crucial in sustaining and improving upon these positive trends.