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Property Crime Trends in Monroe, Ohio: A Decade of Significant Improvement
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Monroe, located in Ohio, has experienced significant changes in its property crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 57.5%, from 702 to 298 incidents. This substantial reduction occurred alongside a population growth of 33.9%, from 17,347 in 2010 to 23,230 in 2022, highlighting an intriguing inverse relationship between population growth and crime rates.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a dramatic decline over the years. In 2010, there were 97 burglaries reported, which dropped to just 8 in 2022, representing a 91.8% decrease. When adjusted for population growth, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 5.59 in 2010 to 0.34 in 2022, a 93.9% reduction. The city's share of state burglaries also decreased significantly, from 0.13% in 2010 to 0.04% in 2022. This substantial improvement in burglary statistics suggests enhanced security measures or community policing efforts may have been particularly effective in deterring this type of crime.
Larceny-theft, while still the most common property crime, has also seen a considerable decrease. In 2010, 598 larceny-theft incidents were reported, compared to 270 in 2022, a 54.8% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 34.47 in 2010 to 11.62 in 2022, a 66.3% drop. Interestingly, despite this decrease, the city's share of state larceny-theft incidents decreased only slightly, from 0.39% in 2010 to 0.26% in 2022, indicating that the reduction in larceny-theft may be part of a broader statewide trend.
Motor vehicle theft trends present a more complex picture. The number of incidents fluctuated over the years, with 7 reported in 2010, rising to a peak of 20 in 2022. This represents a 185.7% increase over the period. However, when adjusted for population growth, the rate per 1,000 residents increased less dramatically, from 0.40 in 2010 to 0.86 in 2022, a 115% increase. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.04% in 2010 to 0.09% in 2022, suggesting that this type of crime has become relatively more prevalent in the city compared to the state average.
Arson incidents in the city have been sporadic and infrequent. The data shows only one reported case in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2018, with no reported cases in other years. Given the low numbers, it's difficult to discern a clear trend or make meaningful comparisons to population growth or state percentages. However, the infrequency of arson cases suggests it is not a significant concern for the city.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the population density increased from 1,091 per square mile in 2010 to 1,461 in 2022, overall property crime rates decreased, suggesting that increased urbanization did not lead to higher crime rates in this case. There's also a notable correlation between rising median income and decreasing property crime rates. The median income rose from $75,972 in 2013 to $95,087 in 2022, coinciding with the period of significant crime reduction.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, we can forecast that by 2029, the city may see further reductions in burglary and larceny-theft rates, potentially reaching as low as 5 burglaries and 200 larceny-theft incidents annually. However, motor vehicle thefts may continue to rise, possibly reaching 25-30 incidents per year. Overall property crime could stabilize around 250-275 incidents annually, assuming current trends and interventions continue.
In summary, Monroe has experienced a remarkable reduction in most property crime categories over the past decade, defying the challenges often associated with rapid population growth. The significant decreases in burglary and larceny-theft, coupled with rising incomes and population density, paint a picture of a city that has successfully managed its growth while enhancing public safety. However, the rising trend in motor vehicle thefts presents an area for focused attention in the coming years.
