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Modesto & Crime

The incidence of crime in Modesto, CA, is almost 90 percent higher than in the rest of California and almost 80 percent higher than in the nation as a whole.

Violent crime in Modesto is almost 120 percent higher than in the rest of California and almost 140 percent higher than in the U.S. as a whole. This is true across all types of violent crime including murder, forcible rape, armed robbery, aggravated assault and arson.  These statistics keep bail bondsmen very busy.

Crimes involving property damage are over 80 percent higher in Modesto than in other California cities and over 75 percent higher than in the rest of the country.

For every 100,000 people who live in Modesto, there are almost 15 crimes that occur every day. Auto theft rates in Modesto are the second highest in the nation. On any given day, Modesto residents have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a crime victim.

In any city, crime stats are a measure of the safety and well-being experienced by those who live and work there. Modesto crime stats do not offer locals or visitors much in the way of peace of mind or reassurance. Meanwhile, the high crime rates keep Modesto bail bondsmen busy around the clock.

Is There A Relationship Between High Crime And Poverty?

According to a 2014 issue of Time Magazine, Gallup Polls conducted in 2012 and 2013 showed that there is more crime in areas where people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. There is also more crime in areas where residents experience high poverty rates, have low annual incomes and live below the poverty line.

These people are more likely to report feeling unsafe and unhappy with where they live. Unemployment rates are higher in cities with high crime rates as well, and those who live in high crime areas tend to be less educated than those who live in cities where there is less crime.

The Modesto economy is currently in a slump and has been for some time. The unemployment rates are among the highest in the U.S. More than one out of five Modesto residents lives below the poverty line. In 2012, only 15 percent of Modesto families had enough money every month to afford food and shelter.

Modesto Rated Number Five Of Most Dangerous U.S. Cities

Gallup Polls cited in Time Magazine indicate that only about 55 percent of Modesto residents feel safe walking outside alone at night. A 2012 report from the FBI’s Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report called Modesto one of California’s most violent cities.

The FBI report cited an increase in Modesto violent crimes like rape, murder, assault, arson and robbery in 2012. However, there was a decrease in property crimes compared to 2011. According to Forbes Magazine, Modesto received the dubious distinction of being rated number five on America’s Most Miserable Cities List in 2012.

Modesto residents do report feeling safer in Modesto than they would in the five percent of California cities and 7 percent of U.S. cities where the crime rates are even worse.

Likelihood Of Becoming A Crime Victim In Modesto, CA

If you live in Modesto, CA, you have a 1 out of 116 chance of being the victim of a violent crime like murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, arson or forcible rape on any given day. You have a 1 in 23 chance of being the victim of a property damage crime.

Are Modesto Crime Rates Getting Worse Or Better?

An analysis of annual crime rates by year indicates that violent crimes in Modesto between 2013 and 2014 have increased by four percent. Property damage crimes have decreased by nine percent. Aggravated assaults have increased by 14 percent. Read about Martinez crime ratio

According to Modesto Police Chief Galen Carroll, “Homicides were up in 2014. It’s actually a record-breaking year. Most of those we have a suspect either arrested or identified.” Carroll added, “What’s more troubling to me is the violent crime has been going up, as well as overall crime.” Carroll said that most of these crimes are related to drugs and alcohol and that most of the aggravated assault charges involve people who know each other.

References:
https://www.modestopress.com/californias-most-violent-cities-modesto-is-5th-dangerous-city/3968/
http://time.com/69550/10-cities-where-americans-are-pretty-much-terrified-to-live/
http://www.areavibes.com/modesto-ca/crime/
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/modesto/crime/