A Tale of Two Cities: Crime Comparisons between Phoenix and Tucson
When it comes to comparing two major cities in the United States, one of the most important factors is crime. For many people, the level of crime in a city can be a deciding factor in whether or not they want to live there, work there, or even visit. In this article, we will take a closer look at the crime rates in two major cities in Arizona – Phoenix and Tucson – and compare and contrast the statistics to find out which city is safer.
Phoenix Crime Statistics
Phoenix is the capital and largest city of Arizona, with a population of over 1.5 million people. As one of the most populous cities in the United States, it is no surprise that Phoenix has a relatively high crime rate. According to the most recent data from the FBI, Phoenix had a total of 51,763 reported crimes in 2019, which breaks down to about 3,466 per 100,000 residents.
Of those reported crimes, the vast majority were property crimes, which accounted for over 80 percent of all reported crimes in the city. Specifically, there were 41,743 reported property crimes in Phoenix in 2019, including burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The remaining 10,020 reported crimes were violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
When compared to other cities in the United States with a similar population size, Phoenix’s crime rate is relatively high. In fact, Phoenix ranks as the 22nd most dangerous city in the United States, according to a 2021 study by Alarms.org.
Tucson Crime Statistics
Tucson, located about 116 miles southeast of Phoenix, is the second-largest city in Arizona, with a population of just over 547,000 people. Although Tucson is significantly smaller than Phoenix, it still has a relatively high crime rate. According to the most recent data from the FBI, Tucson had a total of 22,196 reported crimes in 2019, which breaks down to about 4,049 per 100,000 residents.
Like Phoenix, property crimes make up the majority of reported crimes in Tucson, accounting for over 77 percent of all reported crimes. Specifically, there were 17,240 reported property crimes in Tucson in 2019, including burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The remaining 4,956 reported crimes were violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
When compared to Phoenix, Tucson’s crime rate is slightly higher. However, when compared to other cities with a similar population size, Tucson’s crime rate is about average. In fact, Tucson ranks as the 262nd most dangerous city in the United States, according to a 2021 study by Alarms.org.
Crime Trends
While the crime rates in both Phoenix and Tucson are concerning, it is important to look at the overall trend in crime over time. Fortunately, both cities have seen a decrease in overall crime rates in recent years.
In Phoenix, the total number of reported crimes has decreased steadily since 2017, when there were 55,625 reported crimes. In 2018, that number dropped to 53,162 reported crimes, and in 2019, it dropped even further to 51,763 reported crimes. While these numbers are still high, the trend is encouraging.
In Tucson, the total number of reported crimes has also decreased steadily since 2017, when there were 27,667 reported crimes. In 2018, that number dropped to 24,957 reported crimes, and in 2019 it dropped even further to 22,196 reported crimes. Like Phoenix, this trend is encouraging, as it suggests that efforts to reduce crime in these cities may be effective.
Factors Contributing to Crime
There are a number of factors that can contribute to crime rates in any city, and Phoenix and Tucson are no exception. Some of the most significant factors that contribute to crime in these cities include poverty, drug addiction, and gang activity.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, poverty rates in both Phoenix and Tucson are relatively high. In Phoenix, the poverty rate is 16.2 percent, and in Tucson, it is 24.8 percent. Poverty can contribute to crime in a number of ways. For example, people living in poverty are more likely to engage in criminal activity in order to make ends meet. Additionally, poverty can lead to other factors that contribute to crime, such as drug addiction and gang activity.
Drug addiction is a major problem in both Phoenix and Tucson. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Arizona has one of the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States. Many of these deaths are concentrated in cities like Phoenix and Tucson, where drug addiction is a significant problem.
Gang activity is also a factor in the high crime rates in these cities. Both Phoenix and Tucson have significant gang activity, with many gangs involved in drug trafficking, theft, and violent crime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Phoenix and Tucson have relatively high crime rates when compared to other cities in the United States. However, when compared to each other, Tucson’s crime rate is slightly higher. Both cities have seen a decrease in overall crime in recent years, which is an encouraging sign. Factors that contribute to crime in these cities include poverty, drug addiction, and gang activity. Overall, it is clear that efforts to reduce crime in these cities must address these underlying issues in order to be successful.
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