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Violent Crime Trends in Wapakoneta: A Decade of Fluctuations in a Small Ohio City
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Wapakoneta, a city in Ohio, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates over the past decade, accompanied by subtle changes in population dynamics. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased from 4 to 10, representing a 150% increase. During this same period, the population grew modestly from 14,485 to 14,569, a 0.58% increase. This small city has maintained a commendable record of zero murders throughout the entire period from 2010 to 2022, indicating a remarkably safe environment in terms of homicides. The murder rate per 1,000 people has consistently remained at 0, with the city contributing 0% to the state's murder statistics.
Rape incidents in Wapakoneta have shown variability over the years. The number of reported rapes increased from 0 in 2010 to 2 in 2022, with a peak of 6 cases in 2017. The rape rate per 1,000 people rose from 0 to 0.14 in 2022. The city's contribution to state rape statistics fluctuated, reaching a high of 0.16% in 2017 before settling at 0.05% in 2022. This trend suggests an increased need for sexual assault prevention and support services in the community.
Robbery trends in Wapakoneta have been relatively low and inconsistent. The city experienced no robberies in most years, with occasional spikes such as 3 cases in 2017 and 2 in 2020. The robbery rate per 1,000 people has remained low, peaking at 0.21 in 2017. The city's contribution to state robbery statistics has been minimal, reaching a maximum of 0.03% in 2017 and 2020. These figures indicate that robbery is not a prevalent issue in the city, but occasional incidents do occur.
Aggravated assault has been the most common violent crime in Wapakoneta. The number of cases increased from 3 in 2010 to 8 in 2022, with fluctuations in between. The aggravated assault rate per 1,000 people rose from 0.21 in 2010 to 0.55 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault statistics has varied, peaking at 0.08% in 2013 and settling at 0.05% in 2022. This trend suggests a need for increased focus on assault prevention and conflict resolution programs.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate positive relationship between population density and violent crime rates in Wapakoneta. As the population density increased from 2,207 per square mile in 2010 to 2,219 in 2022, violent crimes generally trended upward. Additionally, there is a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the white population percentage (from 96% in 2013 to 93% in 2022) and the increase in violent crimes, suggesting potential demographic shifts influencing crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends in Wapakoneta, we anticipate a continued gradual increase in overall violent crime rates over the next five years. By 2029, the total number of violent crimes could potentially reach 15-18 annually, with aggravated assaults likely remaining the predominant category. The rape and robbery rates are expected to remain relatively low but may show slight increases.
In summary, Wapakoneta has experienced a notable increase in violent crimes over the past decade, particularly in aggravated assaults, while maintaining a consistently low murder rate. The city's contribution to state crime statistics remains relatively small, but the upward trend in violent crimes, especially when considered against the backdrop of modest population growth, suggests a need for targeted crime prevention strategies and community safety initiatives in the coming years.
