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Property Crime Trends in Pittsburg, Texas: A Decade of Significant Reduction
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Offenses Known to Law Enforcement by State by City
Pittsburg, Texas, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. Over the past decade, from 2010 to 2022, the city experienced a significant decrease in total property crimes, dropping from 154 incidents in 2010 to 78 in 2022, representing a 49.4% reduction. This decline occurred against a backdrop of relatively stable population growth, with the population increasing slightly from 8,177 in 2010 to 8,050 in 2022, a modest 1.6% decrease.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a notable downward trend. In 2010, there were 36 reported burglaries, which peaked at 73 in 2013 before declining to 22 in 2022, a 38.9% decrease from 2010. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 4.4 in 2010 to 2.7 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries increased from 0.02% in 2010 to 0.03% in 2022, suggesting a faster decline in burglaries at the state level. This trend indicates improved local security measures or shifting criminal behaviors within the community.
Larceny-theft incidents also decreased significantly over the period. From 114 cases in 2010, the number dropped to 43 in 2022, a 62.3% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 13.9 in 2010 to 5.3 in 2022. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft cases remained relatively stable at 0.02% in 2010 and 0.01% in 2022, indicating that the local trend aligns with state-wide patterns. This substantial decrease in larceny-theft suggests effective community policing or improved property security measures.
Motor vehicle theft showed a more complex pattern. There were 4 incidents in 2010, which increased to 13 in 2022, a 225% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 0.49 in 2010 to 1.61 in 2022. Despite this local increase, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts only grew from 0.01% to 0.02%, indicating that this trend might be part of a broader regional or state-wide phenomenon. The rise in motor vehicle thefts could be attributed to various factors, including changes in local economic conditions or shifts in criminal focus.
Arson cases in the city remained low throughout the period, with 0 incidents in 2010 and 1 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 residents increased marginally from 0 to 0.12. The city's contribution to state arson cases fluctuated, reaching 0.05% in 2022. While the numbers are small, even a single case of arson can have significant impacts on community safety and property values.
Examining correlations between crime trends and demographic factors reveals interesting patterns. The decrease in overall property crime rates coincided with a gradual increase in median income, from $39,063 in 2013 to $49,314 in 2022. This suggests a potential link between improving economic conditions and reduced property crime. Additionally, the percentage of owner-occupied housing increased from 62% in 2013 to 70% in 2022, which may have contributed to the decline in burglaries and larceny-theft, as homeowners often invest more in property security.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continuation of the overall downward trend in total property crimes, with potential fluctuations in specific categories. Burglaries and larceny-theft are expected to maintain their decreasing trend, while motor vehicle thefts may continue to rise slightly before stabilizing. Arson cases are predicted to remain low but volatile due to their infrequent occurrence.
In summary, Pittsburg has demonstrated a promising trend of declining property crime rates over the past decade, particularly in burglaries and larceny-theft. This improvement, coupled with rising median incomes and increased home ownership, paints a picture of a community making strides in safety and economic stability. However, the rise in motor vehicle thefts presents a challenge that may require targeted interventions. As the city moves forward, maintaining these positive trends while addressing emerging issues will be crucial for continued community well-being and safety.
