Massachusetts has a serious crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 10.4 per 1,000 people. It is one of the best states in the US. That being said, not every city in the state is safe. There is a range of crime rates in towns, and some may surprise you with how high they are. We’ll talk about which place in Massachusetts has the highest crime rate and explain why that is.
Where There is the Most Crime in Massachusetts?
Based on the most recent information from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Springfield is the most dangerous place in Massachusetts. With about 155,000 people, Springfield is the third-biggest city in the state. It is near the Connecticut River in the western part of the state.
There are 67.5 crimes for every 1,000 people living in Springfield. This is more than four times the state average and more than 97% of towns in the US. In 2019, Springfield had 10,472 crimes, with 1,038 serious crimes and 9,434 property crimes. This city has a serious crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 60.8 per 1,000 people.
The most common types of crime in Springfield are theft, break-ins, and car theft. In 2019, Springfield had 5,551 steals, 1,999 burglaries, and 1,884 auto thefts. In the same year, there were also 18 killings, 70 rapes, 403 thefts, and 547 attacks in the city.
Why is Springfield so Full of Crime?
Springfield has a high crime rate, which could be caused by many things, including poverty, jobs, schools, drugs, gangs, and the lack of police tools. There may be a lot of crime in Springfield for the following reasons:
Poverty: Springfield’s poverty rate is 25.9%, more than double the state average of 10.5%. Poverty is frequently connected to crime, since people may turn to illicit activities to live or cope with their circumstances.
Unemployment: Springfield’s unemployment rate is 6.9%, higher than the state average of 4.9%. Unemployment can cause dissatisfaction, hopelessness, and desperation, which can raise the risk of criminality.
Education: Springfield’s educational attainment level is low, with only 19.4% of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or above, compared to the state average of 42.1%. Education may offer people with chances, skills, and information that will enable them to avoid or escape crime.
Drugs: Springfield has a major drug issue, including high rates of opioid usage, overdose, and mortality. Drugs can fuel crime by motivating users to commit crimes to get or consume drugs, and dealers may struggle for territory and clients.
Gangs: Springfield has a strong gang presence, with multiple gangs operating in the city, including the Latin Kings, Outlaws, and Sycamore Street Posse. Gangs may incite violence, intimidation, and turf battles, as well as attract vulnerable young people into crime.
Police Resources: Springfield has a small police force, with just 413 sworn officers servicing a population of 155,000. This indicates that there are just 2.7 cops per 1,000 residents, which is less than the national average of 3.4 officers per 1,000 people. The ability of police to prevent, respond to, and solve crimes is influenced by their resources.
Conclusion
Springfield, Massachusetts’ most hazardous city, stands in sharp contrast to the state’s reputation for low crime rates in general. Springfield’s crime rate is more than four times the state average, and the city faces challenges such as high poverty, unemployment, poor education levels, drug problems, gang presence, and insufficient police resources. Understanding these problems is critical for tackling and reducing the city’s complicated crime situation.