New York State is host to some of the most well-known and populated cities in the world, including New York City, Buffalo, and Rochester. However, not all of them are as safe and tranquil. According to the most recent FBI crime data, one town in New York State stands out as the most violent and dangerous of all counties and big cities.
Fife: The Most Violent Town in New York State
Fife is located in Niagara County, close to the Canadian border. It has a population of around 10,000 and an area of 5.8 square miles. It may appear to be a tiny and calm town, but crime figures suggest otherwise.
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Fife’s violent crime rate in 2021 was 1,238.5 per 100,000 population, more than ten times the state average of 112.3. Murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault are all considered violent crimes. Fife also had a property crime rate of 5,678.9 per 100,000 people, more than four times the state average of 1,257.9. Burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft are all types of property crimes.
Fife has not just the highest crime rate in New York State, but also one of the highest in the country. According to the website Neighborhood Scout, Fife is the 11th most hazardous city in the United States out of 18,000 total. This suggests that Fife is riskier than 99.9% of all cities in the country.
What Makes Fife So Violent?
There is no conclusive explanation for Fife’s high crime rates, although some likely explanations include poverty, unemployment, drug misuse, and gang involvement. According to the United States Census Bureau, Fife’s poverty rate was 28.9% in 2019, more than double the state average of 13.3%. In 2020, Fife’s unemployment rate was 9.4%, higher than the state average of 8.4%. Economic challenges may drive some inhabitants to turn to crime as a means of survival or coping.
Drugs and gangs may also be contributing to Fife’s violence. According to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Fife is a hotbed for drug trafficking and distribution, including heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. These medications are extremely addictive and hazardous, and they can drive users to become aggressive or illogical. Fife is also home to various gangs, including the Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings, who engage in turf warfare, shootings, and robberies.
How Can Fife Get Safer?
Fife’s crime problem is not a recent one, but rather a long-standing one that has plagued the municipality for decades. However, there may be room for development in the future. Some of the measures taken or intended to reduce crime in Fife include:
- Increasing police presence and patrols across the town, particularly in areas with high crime rates.
- Implementing community policing and outreach initiatives, such as the Fife Officers Athletic League, which strives to foster trust and positive interactions between officers and young people.
- Increasing resources and support for drug prevention and treatment, such as the Niagara County Opioid Task Force, which provides education, counseling, and medication-assisted therapy to opioid addicts.
- Creating additional chances and incentives for economic growth and job creation, such as the Fife Industrial Growth Agency, which provides tax discounts and grants to enterprises that establish or expand in the town.
- Enhancing inhabitants’ quality of life and social services, such as the Fife Community Center, which provides recreational, educational, and cultural events for children, adults, and seniors.
Conclusion
Fife, situated in Niagara County, is the most dangerous town in New York State, with crime rates far higher than the state average. Poverty, unemployment, drug usage, and gang affiliation may all contribute to the high rate of violent and property crime. Efforts to improve safety include greater police presence, community outreach, drug prevention efforts, economic development incentives, and better social services, all aimed at addressing the root causes of Fife’s long-standing crime problem.