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Violent Crime Trends in Beverly Hills, Missouri: A Small City's Fluctuating Safety Landscape
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Beverly Hills, Missouri, presents an intriguing case study in violent crime trends. With a population of 559 in 2022 and covering just 0.09 square miles, this small urban area has experienced notable fluctuations in violent crime over the years. From 2010 to 2016, the total number of violent crimes varied significantly, peaking at 15 incidents in 2013 before declining to 4 in 2016, a 73.3% decrease. During this same period, the population decreased from 667 in 2010 to 590 in 2016, a 11.5% reduction.
The murder rate in the city has been remarkably low, with only one recorded incident in 2014. This single event represented 0.3% of the state's murders that year. With a population of 515 in 2014, this translates to a rate of 1.94 murders per 1,000 residents. In all other years from 2010 to 2016, there were no reported murders, indicating an overall very low murder rate for the city.
Rape incidents were not reported in the available data for Beverly Hills from 2010 to 2016. Robbery trends show some variability over the years. The highest number of robberies was recorded in 2013 with 6 incidents, representing 0.12% of the state's robberies. This translates to a rate of 11.76 robberies per 1,000 residents for that year. The number decreased to 2 robberies in 2016, accounting for 0.03% of the state's total. With the population at 590 in 2016, this equates to 3.39 robberies per 1,000 residents, showing a significant decrease in the robbery rate over this period.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city. The highest number was recorded in 2011 with 9 incidents, representing 0.06% of the state's total. With a population of 532 that year, this equates to 16.92 aggravated assaults per 1,000 residents. By 2016, this number had decreased to 2 incidents, or 0.01% of the state's total, resulting in a rate of 3.39 per 1,000 residents. This represents a substantial decrease in both the number of incidents and the rate per capita.
There appears to be a strong correlation between the city's population density and violent crime rates. As the population density fluctuated, so did the crime rates, with higher densities generally corresponding to higher crime rates. For instance, the peak in violent crime in 2013 (15 incidents) coincided with a population density of 5,679 people per square mile. Conversely, the lowest number of violent crimes in 2016 (4 incidents) occurred when the population density had increased to 6,569 people per square mile, suggesting that other factors beyond density may also influence crime rates.
The racial composition of Beverly Hills has remained relatively stable, with a predominantly Black population (96-97% from 2013 to 2022). This demographic consistency suggests that changes in racial distribution are not a significant factor in the violent crime trends observed.
Applying predictive models based on the available data, it's projected that violent crime in Beverly Hills may continue its downward trend over the next five years (up to 2029). However, this prediction should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited data set and the small size of the city, which can lead to significant percentage changes from relatively small numerical shifts.
In conclusion, Beverly Hills has experienced a general decline in violent crime from 2010 to 2016, with notable fluctuations in between. The most significant reductions were seen in robbery and aggravated assault rates. While the city's small size means that even minor changes in crime numbers can result in large percentage shifts, the overall trend suggests an improving safety situation. The relationship between population density and crime rates, along with the city's stable racial composition, provides valuable context for understanding these trends. As the city moves forward, continued monitoring of these factors will be crucial for maintaining and improving public safety.
