Ohio has many things to see and do, including lovely state parks, lively cities, and tasty food. New FBI crime data shows that some parts of the state are also some of the most dangerous in the country. Canton stands out as the most dangerous and aggressive of them all.
Canton is Ohio’s Most Dangerous City
About 69,623 people live in Canton, which is 20 miles south of Akron. It is best known as the place where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located. This hall honors the past and heroes of American football. But the city has had a lot of crime and violence for a long time.
The FBI said that in 2021, there were 43.5 killings for every 100,000 people in Canton, making it the most murderous city in Ohio. That means there were more killings in Canton than in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, all of which are much bigger towns. It was so high that Canton had the 11th highest murder rate in the whole country, higher than Detroit, Baltimore, and Chicago.
With 5,256 burglaries per 100,000 people, Canton also had the highest rate of theft in Ohio. In 2021, there was a 1 in 19 chance that someone would be the subject of a property crime. Canton also had the second-highest rate of theft and the fourth-highest rate of serious attacks in the state.
What Makes Canton’s Crime Rate So High?
A lot of things, like poverty, unemployment, drugs, gangs, and not getting enough schooling, lead to Canton’s high crime rate. As of 2019, 28.9% of people in Canton were living in poverty, which is more than double the national average of 12.3%. Canton’s median family income was $32,544, which is less than half of the median income across the whole country, which was $68,703.
This is more than the state average of 6.5% and the national average of 6.1%. In 2020, Canton’s jobless rate was 7.9%. Some people may turn to crime as a way to survive or vent their anger because they can’t get ahead in life or move up in society.
The drug crisis, especially the opioid crisis, is another big issue in Canton. The Ohio Department of Health says that in 2019, 76.8 out of every 100,000 people, people died from drug overdoses in Canton. This was the highest rate in the state. That’s over three times the rate in the whole country, which is 21.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Many people and families in Canton have been destroyed by the abuse of narcotic drugs, heroin, and fentanyl. It has also made the city more violent and criminal.
Canton also has a history of gang activity and “turf wars,” which often lead to shootings and deaths. The Canton Police Department says there are 15 active gangs in the city, and each has around 300 members. The Lonely Always, the Down the Way Boys, and the 14th Street Gang are some of the most well-known gangs. For money and area, these gangs often fight with each other. They deal drugs, rob people, demand money, and kill people.
Lastly, Canton doesn’t have enough schools and social services, which could keep some people from breaking the circle of poverty and crime. The U.S. Census Bureau says that in 2019, only 83.4% of people in Canton had a high school education or higher. This is less than the state average of 90.2% and the national average of 88.6%.
In Canton, only 13.4% of people had a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is less than half of the average for the state (28.5%) and the country (32.1%). Many people in Canton may not be able to find work or make enough money because they don’t have much schooling. This also makes them more likely to be victims of crime and violence.
How Can Canton Make Life Safer and Better for Everyone?
There is a lot of good about Canton as a place, like its long past, culture, and sports. There are, however, many problems and risks in the city, such as a high crime rate, poverty, and drug abuse. The government, the police, the community, and the business sector all need to work together with Canton to solve these problems to make the city a safer and better place to live.
Here are some ideas and plans that Canton might be able to use:
- Putting money into job creation and economic growth, especially for low-income and disadvantaged groups, lowers poverty and inequality and gives people more chances and hope.
- Making the education and training system better, especially for kids and adults, so that workers have better skills and abilities and the city is more competitive and productive.
- Making drug abuse and treatment programs bigger, especially for opioid users and people who have died from overdoses, lowers the supply and demand of drugs and protects more people and families from violence and addiction.
- Making the police and the criminal justice system stronger, especially for dangerous and repeat offenders, to avoid and punish crime and keep the peace and safety of the public.
- Promoting community involvement and social harmony, especially for disadvantaged and different groups, to build trust and cooperation among city people and make the city more open and strong.
Conclusion
Canton, Ohio, has considerable crime issues, giving it the label of the most dangerous city in the state. Poverty, unemployment, drug misuse, and a lack of education all contribute to high rates of murder, theft, and other violent crimes. To increase safety and well-being, joint initiatives in economic growth, school improvement, drug addiction treatment, improved police enforcement, and community participation are required.