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Violent Crime Decline in Leesburg, Alabama: A Decade of Positive Change
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Leesburg, Alabama, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes fluctuated, with a peak of 10 incidents in 2013 and a low of 1 incident in both 2021 and 2022. This represents a significant 75% decrease in violent crime from the beginning to the end of the period. Concurrently, the population grew from 3,104 in 2010 to 2,919 in 2022, showing a slight overall decrease of about 6%.
Examining murder rates, the city experienced only one homicide during the entire period, occurring in 2014. This translates to a rate of 0.30 murders per 1,000 residents for that year. The percentage of state murders attributable to Leesburg was 0.5% in 2014, dropping to 0% in subsequent years. This isolated incident suggests that homicide is not a persistent issue in the community.
Rape incidents were sporadic, with single occurrences reported in 2013, 2016, and 2017. The rate per 1,000 residents ranged from 0.32 to 0.30 during these years. The percentage of state rapes attributable to Leesburg remained consistently low at 0.09% when incidents occurred. The infrequency of these crimes indicates that sexual violence is not a widespread problem in the city.
Robbery trends show minimal activity, with only three incidents reported over the 12-year period: one each in 2010, 2011, and 2018. The rate per 1,000 residents for these years was approximately 0.32, 0.35, and 0.31, respectively. The percentage of state robberies attributable to Leesburg never exceeded 0.03%. This suggests that robbery is an uncommon occurrence in the community.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent violent crime in the city, with numbers fluctuating year to year. The highest number of incidents was 9 in 2013, corresponding to a rate of 2.90 per 1,000 residents. The lowest recent figures were 1 incident each in 2021 and 2022, equating to a rate of 0.29 and 0.34 per 1,000 residents, respectively. The percentage of state aggravated assaults attributable to Leesburg has generally remained below 0.1%, with a notable spike to 0.58% in 2020.
A strong correlation appears between population density and violent crime rates. As population density increased from 492 per square mile in 2010 to 539 in 2020, violent crime incidents initially rose, peaking in 2013. However, as density continued to increase to 547 per square mile in 2021, violent crime sharply decreased, suggesting other factors may have influenced this trend reversal.
Applying predictive models based on recent trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), Leesburg may maintain its low violent crime rates, potentially averaging 1-2 incidents per year. This forecast assumes continued stability in population and socioeconomic factors.
In summary, Leesburg has shown a remarkable improvement in violent crime rates over the past decade. The significant reduction in overall violent crime, particularly in recent years, suggests effective law enforcement strategies or positive community changes. The isolated nature of serious crimes like murder and rape, combined with the decreasing trend in aggravated assaults, paints a picture of a community that has become increasingly safer. This positive trend, if maintained, could contribute to the town's appeal and potentially support future growth and development.
