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Surfside, Florida: Violent Crime Trends in a Small Coastal Community
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Surfside, Florida, is a small coastal community with a rich history and vibrant culture. Over the past decade, this city has experienced fluctuations in its violent crime rates, warranting a closer examination. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes decreased by 61.5%, from 13 to 5 incidents. During this same period, the population saw a slight increase of 1.5%, growing from 5,511 to 5,592 residents.
Murder rates in the city have remained exceptionally low, with only one reported case in 2013. This single incident represented 0.18% of Florida's murders that year. Given the small population, this translates to a rate of 0.17 murders per 1,000 people in 2013. In all other years, there were no reported murders, resulting in a 0% share of state murders. This consistently low murder rate suggests a generally safe environment for residents.
Rape incidents have fluctuated over the years, with no clear trend. The city reported one rape in 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. The highest percentage of state rapes was 0.06% in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people ranged from 0 to 0.18, with the highest rate occurring in 2022. While these numbers are low, they indicate that sexual violence remains a concern that requires ongoing attention and prevention efforts.
Robbery trends show a decline over the observed period. The city experienced a high of 3 robberies in 2015, representing 0.02% of state robberies. By 2022, this number decreased to 2 robberies, though it accounted for a higher 0.07% of state robberies. The robbery rate per 1,000 people peaked at 0.50 in 2015 and dropped to 0.36 by 2022. This downward trend in robberies is a positive sign for public safety.
Aggravated assault cases have shown significant fluctuation. The highest number was recorded in 2012 with 12 incidents (0.04% of state assaults), while the lowest was 2 incidents in 2014, 2020, and 2022 (0.01% to 0.02% of state assaults). The rate per 1,000 people ranged from 0.34 to 2.10. Despite these fluctuations, the overall trend shows a decrease in aggravated assaults, with 2022 having one of the lowest rates in the observed period.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a relationship between population density and violent crime rates. As population density increased from 9,887 per square mile in 2010 to 10,033 in 2022, violent crimes generally decreased. This suggests that the city has managed to maintain and even improve safety despite becoming more densely populated. Additionally, there seems to be a correlation between the Hispanic population percentage and violent crime rates. As the Hispanic population grew from 33% in 2013 to 37% in 2022, violent crimes showed an overall decreasing trend, indicating that demographic changes have not negatively impacted safety.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a continued gradual decrease in overall violent crime rates. Based on the current trends, it's projected that the city may experience an average of 3-4 violent crimes per year by 2029, potentially reaching a historic low. This forecast suggests a continuation of the city's effective crime prevention strategies and community safety measures.
In conclusion, Surfside has demonstrated a commendable improvement in its violent crime statistics over the past decade. The significant reduction in overall violent crimes, coupled with consistently low murder rates and decreasing trends in robberies and aggravated assaults, paints a picture of a community that has successfully enhanced public safety. As the city continues to grow and evolve, maintaining these positive trends will be crucial for ensuring the well-being and security of its residents in the coming years.
