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Violent Crime Trends in East Peoria: A Decade of Decline Amidst Population Changes
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
East Peoria, Illinois, a city spanning 22.44 square miles, has experienced notable shifts in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes fluctuated, with a peak of 130 incidents in 2011 and a low of 62 in 2021. This represents a significant overall decrease of 45.8% in violent crime occurrences. Concurrently, the city's population declined from 26,741 in 2010 to 24,985 in 2022, a 6.6% reduction.
Examining murder trends, the city has maintained a remarkably low rate, with only three reported cases over the 12-year period: one in 2012 and two in 2014 and 2016 respectively. This translates to an average of 0.04 murders per 1,000 residents annually. The percentage of state murder rate fluctuated accordingly, peaking at 0.35% in 2014. Despite the population decline, the murder rate remained consistently low, indicating effective crime prevention strategies.
Rape incidents showed considerable variation, ranging from 10 cases in 2013 and 2019 to a high of 37 in 2018. The rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between 0.37 and 1.43, with the highest rate occurring in 2018. The city's contribution to the state's rape cases varied widely, from 0.22% in 2019 to 1.94% in 2021. This volatility suggests the need for targeted interventions and support services.
Robbery rates in the city remained relatively low, with a minimum of 4 incidents in 2015 and 2019, and a maximum of 10 in 2014 and 2017. The rate per 1,000 residents ranged from 0.15 to 0.38. The city's share of state robberies stayed consistently low, peaking at 0.46% in 2021. This indicates that robbery is not a major concern compared to other violent crimes in the area.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent violent crime in the city, though showing a general downward trend. The number of incidents decreased from 77 in 2010 to 32 in 2022, a 58.4% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 2.88 to 1.28 during this period. The city's contribution to state aggravated assaults fluctuated between 0.21% and 0.81%, with the highest percentage in 2021.
A strong correlation exists between the declining population density and the overall reduction in violent crimes. As the population density decreased from 1,292 per square mile in 2010 to 1,207 in 2022, violent crimes generally followed a downward trend. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the stable racial demographics and crime rates. The white population remained consistently above 90% throughout the period, coinciding with relatively low and decreasing violent crime rates.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), East Peoria could see a further 15-20% reduction in overall violent crimes if current trends continue. The city is likely to maintain its low murder rate, potentially experiencing years with zero incidents. Rape and robbery rates are expected to stabilize at their lower levels, while aggravated assaults may continue their gradual decline.
In conclusion, East Peoria has demonstrated a positive trajectory in reducing violent crimes over the past decade. The city's consistent demographic makeup and declining population density appear to have contributed to this trend. While challenges remain, particularly in addressing fluctuations in rape incidents, the overall outlook for public safety in East Peoria is encouraging. Continued focus on community-based crime prevention strategies and targeted interventions for specific crime categories could further enhance the city's safety profile in the coming years.
