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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Lawson, Missouri, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the city experienced fluctuations in its total violent crime counts, with a notable overall decrease. The population during this period also showed variations, starting at 4,750 in 2010 and ending at 4,509 in 2022, representing a slight decrease of 5.1% over the 12-year span.
Murder rates in the city have remained extremely low, with only one recorded incident in 2010, representing 0.3% of the state's total that year. Since then, there have been no reported murders, indicating a consistent 0 per 1,000 people rate. This suggests that homicide is not a significant concern for the community, maintaining a safer environment compared to state averages.
Rape incidents have shown sporadic occurrences. The city reported no rapes from 2010 to 2011, then saw 3 cases in 2012 (0.62 per 1,000 people, 0.25% of state total), followed by years of no reported cases. In 2015, there was 1 case (0.22 per 1,000 people, 0.05% of state total), and a spike to 6 cases in 2019 (1.51 per 1,000 people, 0.3% of state total). The most recent data for 2022 shows 1 case (0.22 per 1,000 people, 0.05% of state total). These fluctuations suggest that while rape is not a persistent problem, there have been concerning spikes that warrant attention.
Robbery rates have remained exceptionally low, with only one reported incident in 2019 (0.25 per 1,000 people, 0.02% of state total). For all other years, there were no reported robberies, indicating that this type of crime is not a significant issue for the city.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city. The rates have fluctuated over the years, with notable peaks in 2016 and 2017, both recording 8 cases (1.94 and 1.92 per 1,000 people respectively, both at 0.05% of state total). The most recent data for 2022 shows 2 cases (0.44 per 1,000 people, 0.01% of state total), indicating a decrease from previous years. This trend suggests that while aggravated assault remains a concern, there has been some improvement in recent years.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a weak relationship between population density and violent crime rates. For instance, in 2016, when the population density was at a relatively low point of 1,390 per square mile, the city experienced one of its highest violent crime counts with 9 incidents. Conversely, in 2019, with a similar low population density of 1,338 per square mile, there were also 9 violent crimes reported. This suggests that factors other than population density may be more influential in determining violent crime rates in the city.
The racial composition of the city has remained relatively stable, with the white population consistently accounting for over 94% of residents. Given this stability, it's challenging to draw meaningful correlations between race distribution and violent crime trends.
Applying predictive models based on the available data, it's projected that violent crime rates in Lawson will likely remain low over the next five years, potentially averaging around 3-4 incidents annually by 2029. This forecast assumes that current social and economic conditions remain relatively stable and that no major disruptive events occur.
In conclusion, Lawson has maintained relatively low violent crime rates over the past decade, with aggravated assault being the primary concern. The absence of murders since 2010 and the infrequent occurrence of robberies are positive indicators for public safety. However, the sporadic spikes in rape cases highlight an area that may require targeted prevention efforts. As the city moves forward, maintaining community-focused policing strategies and addressing socioeconomic factors that contribute to violent crime will be crucial in ensuring the continued safety and well-being of its residents.