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How safe is Fresno, CA?

Fresno is the fifth-largest city in California and the 34th largest in the U.S. However, its crime problem is significantly worse than in the other large cities in the state and also worse than in most other areas of the country.

Fresno Demographics

Boasting a population of slightly more than half a million, Fresno is situated directly in the San Joaquin Valley, which is an important part of the nation’s agricultural industry. The city has a mix of white and blue-collar workers, although a large proportion of its residents are employed in the field of business. Fresno was incorporated in 1885.

Fresno Crime stats

In terms of crime, Fresno does not boast desirable statistics. Based on an evaluation of such offenses as murder, armed robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft, Fresno has a crime index of 5, which means that it is safer than only 5 percent of the cities in the U.S. This contrasts with Los Angeles, the largest urban area in California and the second-largest in the country, which is safer than almost 30 percent of the nation’s cities. The overall crime rate in Fresno in 2012 was 57.95. Standing alone, its violent crime rate that year was 5.48, or nearly double the U.S. average, and its property crime rate was nearly double that of both the nation and the rest of California.
From a strict statistical viewpoint, the chance of being the victim of violent crime in Fresno is one in 182, which is above the California average of one in 236. The chance of being victimized in the city by some type of property crime is one in 19, which is nearly double the rate for the rest of the state. In terms of the crime distribution, Fresno in 2012 experienced 258 offenses per square mile. This figure is considerably higher than that of California in general and even higher than the rates of most other major cities in the state.

In 2012, Fresno crime stats experienced nearly 30,000 crimes of every type, although only about 10 percent of these offenses harmed or endangered men, women, or children. The city recorded 51 murders, 55 rapes, 1,026 robberies, and 1,641 assaults during the year. In terms of property crimes, Fresno in 2012 experienced 5,984 burglaries and 12,236 thefts that did not involve breaking and entering. Additionally, 4,328 vehicles were reported stolen in the city during the same 12-month period. Fresno ranked higher than the rest of the nation in virtually every crime category, especially murder, which was more than double the U.S. rate. However, the rate of rape in Fresno was less than half that of the nation as a whole.

Whether one lives in high or low-risk areas, the consequences of being charged with a criminal offense can be devastating. The system of bail in this nation will allow most criminal defendants to remain free until the allegations are resolved. One of the first calls made by anyone charged with a crime should be to a bail bond agent, who can help guarantee the rights to which every defendant is entitled.
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