Canton, Ohio, a seemingly humble city, has recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. According to a new assessment, this once-quaint city has surged to fourth place in the state’s dangerousness rankings. Let us look into the facts and causes of this alarming change.
There are no Lies in the Numbers
The data are clear: Canton has some of the highest rates of violent crime in the nation, regardless of neighborhood size. The offenses being tracked include rape, murder, non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and severe assault. With a population of slightly more than 70,000, Canton witnessed 1,398 violent crimes in 2019. Not satisfied with that, there were an amazing 5,292 reported cases of property crime.
Which Crimes Are Most Common in Canton?
The sources referenced show that the following are the most prevalent crime categories in Canton, Ohio:
The most commonly reported property crime in Canton is larceny. In 2019, 2,429 larcenies were reported, for a total of 3,463 incidents per 100,000 persons. The larceny rate is lower nationwide, at 1,550 per 100,000 people.
Burglary is a common property offense in Canton. In 2019, 962 burglaries were registered, equating to 1,372 incidents per 100,000 people. In 2019, there were 341 recorded burglaries per 100,000 people nationwide.
Vehicle theft is a big concern in Canton. In 2019, there were 321 reports of motor vehicle theft in the city. Less than 220 motor vehicle thefts occur annually in the United States per 100,000 persons.
Aggravated Assault: In Canton, this is the most commonly reported violent offense. In 2019, there were 652 reported aggravated assaults in Canton, which translates to 930 per 100,000 people. This substantially exceeds the national average of 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.
Robbery is a regular violent crime in Canton. In 2019, there were 188 reported robberies in the city, for a robbery rate of 268 per 100,000 people. In the same year, there were substantially fewer robberies nationwide—82 per 100,000.
These figures demonstrate the prevalence of violent crimes like aggravated assault and robbery in Canton, as well as property crimes like burglary and theft. Improving city safety and security necessitates addressing these prevalent crime types.
Canton’s violent crime rate is much higher than the national average. The facts provided state:
- In 2019, Canton’s violent crime rate was 1,050.2 per 100,000 people.
- In 2020, Canton had a reported violent crime rate of 1,180 per 100,000 population.
- In 2019, there were 294 violent crimes per 100,000 people nationwide.
- These figures indicate Canton’s challenges in dealing with violent criminal activity, as its rate of violent crime is significantly greater than the national average.
How is the Canton crime rate changing? Through the Last Five Years
Canton’s crime rate has fluctuated somewhat during the last five years. Based on the facts provided, the following highlights the trend in crime rates:
- Canton had 1,500 crime incidents per 100,000 population in 2017.
- In 2018, the crime rate fell to 1,273.
- The crime rate increased to 1,559 cases per 100,000 people in 2019.
- In 2020, the crime rate declined slightly to 1,218.
- Once more, by 2021, the crime rate has risen to 1,205 incidents per 100,000 people.
- With annual variances in reported incidents, this pattern implies some fluctuations in Canton’s crime rate during the last five years.
In Conclusion
The dramatic spike in crime rates in Canton serves as a warning. It underlines the need for comprehensive solutions that address economic inequalities, fund community services, and prioritize law enforcement aid. The story of Canton serves as a reminder that every community is subject to change as we navigate these uncertain times. Hopefully, by working together, we can steer it toward a safer future.
Canton’s fate is ultimately determined by its residents. Will this community band together to restore safety, or will it continue down the dangerous path? That much will be disclosed in due time.