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Property Crime Trends in Sunset Beach: A Coastal Town's Growing Pains
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Sunset Beach, located in North Carolina, has experienced notable fluctuations in property crime rates alongside population growth over recent years. From 2010 to 2014, the total number of property crimes increased from 56 to 95, representing a 69.6% increase. During the same period, the population grew from 3,700 to 4,040, a 9.2% increase.
Burglary trends in the city show a concerning upward trajectory. In 2010, there were 36 burglaries, which increased to 53 by 2014, marking a 47.2% rise. When considering population growth, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents increased from 9.73 in 2010 to 13.12 in 2014. This indicates that burglaries grew at a faster pace than the population. Moreover, the city's share of state burglaries rose significantly, from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.13% in 2014, suggesting that burglary became a more pressing issue relative to other areas in North Carolina.
Larceny-theft incidents also saw an increase, though less pronounced than burglaries. The number of larceny-thefts rose from 19 in 2010 to 39 in 2014, a 105.3% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents grew from 5.14 in 2010 to 9.65 in 2014. However, the city's proportion of state larceny-thefts remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from 0.01% to 0.03% over the same period. This suggests that while larceny-theft became more prevalent locally, its growth was somewhat in line with state-wide trends.
Motor vehicle theft trends present a mixed picture. In 2010, there was only 1 reported case, which increased to 3 by 2014. While this represents a 200% increase, the small numbers make percentage changes less meaningful. The rate per 1,000 residents increased from 0.27 in 2010 to 0.74 in 2014. Notably, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts jumped from 0.01% to 0.04%, indicating a disproportionate increase compared to state trends.
Arson data is limited, with only one reported case in 2014, representing 0.11% of state arsons. Given the scarcity of data, it's difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about arson trends in the city.
Examining correlations between property crime and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As population density increased from 530 per square mile in 2010 to 579 in 2014, property crimes also rose, suggesting a potential link between higher density and increased crime rates. Additionally, there appears to be an inverse relationship between homeownership rates and property crime. As the percentage of owner-occupied homes decreased from 87% in 2013 to 85% in 2014, property crimes increased, potentially indicating that higher rates of transient populations or rental properties may contribute to increased property crime.
Applying predictive models based on the available data, we can forecast that property crime rates may continue to increase over the next five years (up to 2029) if current trends persist. The city could potentially see total property crimes reach around 120-130 incidents annually by 2029, with burglaries and larceny-thefts likely to account for the majority of these crimes.
In conclusion, Sunset Beach has faced growing challenges with property crime, particularly in the areas of burglary and larceny-theft. The disproportionate increase in these crimes relative to population growth suggests a need for targeted crime prevention strategies. The correlation between decreasing homeownership rates and increasing crime rates may provide insight into potential areas for community-based interventions. As the city continues to grow, addressing these property crime trends will be crucial for maintaining the safety and security of its residents.
