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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Westwood, Kansas, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends. This small city, with a population of 1,829 in 2022, has experienced notable fluctuations in its violent crime rates over the years. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased from 1 to 4, representing a 300% increase. During this same period, the population grew from 1,488 to 1,829, a 22.9% increase.
An analysis of murder rates in Westwood reveals a consistent pattern of zero incidents throughout the observed period from 2010 to 2022. This stability in the absence of murders persists despite the population growth, maintaining a murder rate of 0 per 1,000 people. The city's contribution to the state's murder statistics remains at 0% throughout this period, indicating a positive aspect of public safety in the local context.
Rape incidents in Westwood show minimal occurrence, with only one reported case in 2015. This translates to a rate of 0.56 per 1,000 people for that year, representing 0.07% of the state's total rape cases. The infrequency of rape cases suggests that sexual violence is not a prevalent issue in the city, though the single incident highlights the need for continued vigilance.
Robbery trends in Westwood demonstrate some fluctuation. The city experienced no robberies in most years, with isolated incidents in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The highest number of robberies (2) occurred in 2021, resulting in a rate of 1.11 per 1,000 people and constituting 0.71% of the state's robbery cases that year. In 2022, there was one robbery, equating to 0.55 per 1,000 people and 0.14% of the state's total. This suggests a slight downward trend in robbery rates relative to population growth.
Aggravated assault in Westwood shows an increasing trend in recent years. From 2018 to 2022, the number of aggravated assaults rose from 1 to 3. In 2022, the rate was 1.64 per 1,000 people, representing 0.04% of the state's total aggravated assaults. This upward trend is noteworthy, as it indicates a growing concern for public safety despite the city's small size.
Examining correlations between violent crime and other factors reveals some interesting patterns. There appears to be a moderate positive correlation between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density increased from 3,618 per square mile in 2010 to 4,447 in 2022, violent crimes also showed an overall upward trend. Additionally, there seems to be a weak positive correlation between median rent and violent crime rates, with both increasing over time. The racial distribution shows little correlation with violent crime trends, as the white population remained the majority (82% in 2022) throughout the period.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of the upward trend in aggravated assaults and a possible stabilization of robbery rates. The model predicts that by 2029, Westwood might experience up to 5 violent crimes per year, with aggravated assaults potentially accounting for the majority of these incidents.
In summary, Westwood has experienced a notable increase in violent crimes from 2010 to 2022, primarily driven by a rise in aggravated assaults. While the city maintains a low incidence of murders and rapes, the growing trend in assaults and occasional robberies warrants attention from local law enforcement and community leaders. The correlation between population density and violent crime rates suggests that as the city continues to grow, proactive measures may be necessary to maintain public safety and preserve the relatively low crime environment that Westwood has historically enjoyed.