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Property Crime Trends in Westville, Oklahoma: Resilience Amid Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Westville, located in Oklahoma, presents an interesting case study in property crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes fluctuated, starting at 43 in 2010, peaking at 65 in 2018, and settling at 43 again in 2022, showing no overall change. During this same period, the population grew from 1,248 in 2010 to 1,476 in 2022, an 18.3% increase.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a notable decline over time. In 2010, there were 15 burglaries, which decreased to 10 in 2022, a 33.3% reduction. When adjusted for population, the rate dropped from 12.02 per 1,000 people in 2010 to 6.78 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated, starting at 0.05% in 2010, peaking at 0.08% in 2019 and 2020, and ending at 0.06% in 2022. This overall decrease in burglaries, despite population growth, suggests improved security measures or law enforcement effectiveness.
Larceny theft trends have been more volatile. The number of incidents decreased slightly from 24 in 2010 to 23 in 2022, a 4.2% reduction. However, when accounting for population growth, the rate per 1,000 people decreased more significantly from 19.23 in 2010 to 15.58 in 2022. The city's portion of state larceny thefts remained relatively stable, starting at 0.03% in 2010 and ending at 0.04% in 2022, with a peak of 0.08% in 2018. This stability in larceny theft rates, despite population growth, indicates a relatively consistent pattern of this type of crime in the community.
Motor vehicle theft has seen a concerning increase. In 2010, there were 4 incidents, which rose to 10 in 2022, a 150% increase. The rate per 1,000 people also increased from 3.21 in 2010 to 6.78 in 2022. Moreover, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts grew from 0.05% in 2010 to 0.10% in 2022. This sharp rise in motor vehicle thefts, outpacing population growth, suggests a growing challenge for law enforcement and residents.
Arson incidents have been sporadic and relatively low. The city reported 2 cases in 2010, fluctuated between 0 and 2 cases annually, and recorded 0 cases in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people decreased from 1.60 in 2010 to 0 in 2022. The city's portion of state arsons varied widely, from 0.31% in 2010 to 0% in several years, including 2022. The low and inconsistent numbers make it difficult to establish a clear trend for arson in the city.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a relationship between property crime rates and population density. As the population density increased from 755 per square mile in 2010 to 892 in 2022, property crimes per 1,000 people decreased from 34.46 to 29.13, suggesting that increased urbanization might have led to improved security measures. Additionally, there's a potential correlation between the decline in median income (from $32,709 in 2013 to $32,970 in 2022) and the slight increase in certain property crimes, particularly motor vehicle theft.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), the city may see a continued increase in motor vehicle thefts, potentially reaching 15-18 incidents annually. Burglaries are likely to stabilize around 8-10 cases per year. Larceny theft is expected to remain relatively stable, potentially fluctuating between 20-25 incidents annually. Arson cases are likely to remain low, with 0-1 incidents per year.
In conclusion, Westville has experienced varying trends across different types of property crimes from 2010 to 2022. While burglaries and larceny thefts have shown overall decreases relative to population growth, motor vehicle thefts have emerged as a growing concern. The city's changing demographics and economic conditions appear to influence these trends, highlighting the complex nature of urban crime dynamics. As the community continues to evolve, targeted strategies to address specific crime types, particularly motor vehicle theft, will be crucial for maintaining public safety and improving quality of life for residents.
