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Violent Crime Surge in Liberty, Missouri: A Decade of Challenges
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Liberty, Missouri, a suburban community located northeast of Kansas City, has experienced notable changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2018, the total number of violent crimes increased by 126.8%, from 41 to 93 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 12.9%, from 33,464 to 37,785 residents, indicating that crime rates outpaced population growth significantly.
The murder rate in the city has shown fluctuation over the years. In 2010, there were 2 murders, representing 0.59% of the state's total. The rate per 1,000 people was 0.06. By 2015, the number remained at 2, but due to population growth, the rate decreased slightly to 0.055 per 1,000 people. However, the percentage of state crime increased to 0.49%. Interestingly, in several years (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018), no murders were reported, suggesting intermittent spikes rather than a consistent trend.
Rape incidents have shown a concerning upward trend. In 2010, there were 9 reported rapes, or 0.27 per 1,000 people, accounting for 0.84% of the state's total. By 2016, this number had more than doubled to 20 incidents, or 0.55 per 1,000 people, representing 1.04% of the state's rapes. However, by 2018, the number decreased to 6 cases, or 0.16 per 1,000 people, accounting for 0.3% of the state's total. This volatility suggests the need for targeted interventions and support services.
Robbery rates have remained relatively stable over the years. In 2010, there were 9 robberies, or 0.27 per 1,000 people, representing 0.16% of the state's total. By 2018, the number decreased slightly to 6 incidents, or 0.16 per 1,000 people, accounting for 0.13% of the state's robberies. The consistency in these numbers, despite population growth, indicates a marginal improvement in robbery rates relative to population size.
Aggravated assault has seen the most significant increase among violent crimes. In 2010, there were 21 cases, or 0.63 per 1,000 people, representing 0.15% of the state's total. By 2018, this number had nearly quadrupled to 81 incidents, or 2.14 per 1,000 people, accounting for 0.49% of the state's aggravated assaults. This substantial increase outpaced population growth and suggests a need for focused crime prevention strategies.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong relationship between the increase in violent crimes and the city's population density. As the population density grew from 1,152 people per square mile in 2010 to 1,301 in 2018, violent crimes increased proportionally. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the white population percentage (from 90% in 2013 to 87% in 2018) and the rise in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's projected that by 2029, the city may experience a continued increase in violent crimes, particularly in aggravated assaults. The total number of violent crimes could potentially reach 120-130 incidents annually, with aggravated assaults possibly accounting for 70-75% of these cases.
In summary, Liberty has faced significant challenges with violent crime over the past decade, particularly in the areas of rape and aggravated assault. While some categories like robbery have remained relatively stable, the overall trend shows an increase in violent crime that outpaces population growth. The city's changing demographics and increasing population density appear to correlate with these trends. Moving forward, targeted interventions focusing on assault prevention and community policing strategies may be crucial in addressing these crime trends and ensuring the safety and well-being of Liberty's residents.
