Crime statistics and economic trends in Clark County, Nevada

Crime Statistics in America

Over the last several years Clark Country, Nevada has been through a tremendous amount of highs and lows. With the principal city (Las Vegas), experiencing massive boom and bust cycles. As far as crime is concerned, the underlying amounts of volatility and the lingering effects of recession have caused these statistics to vary. To understand these effects requires examining: the current statistics, the underlying amounts of growth / declines that are occurring and what crimes are most significant. Once this takes place, it will provide the greatest insights as to how various economic forces have been impacting crime statistics.

Current Crime Statistics

Clark Country has been experiencing a divergence in crime statistics. Where, certain categories are higher, while others are lower. A good example of this can be seen by comparing the statistics with between select violent crimes (such as murders and rapes) with property / other related crimes (i.e. robbery / aggravated assault). According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, from January to December 2008 the number of murders declined by 9%, while forceable rapes declined by 7%. During the same time, burglary increased by 12% and aggravated assault increased by 1%. However, when you look at the overall crime rate for Clark Country it declined by 12%. This is significant, because the various statistics are showing a divergence that is occurring in the crime rate, as the year over year numbers are down, while select areas are up. ("Annual Report," 2009)

What Crimes are Most Significant

The crimes that are most significant are: burglary, robbery and assault. This is problematic, because of the increases in the number of victims and the overall nature of these crimes, which can cause some people to feel less secure. Where, you will have the police citing one set of statistics, while the citizens feel as if the underlying levels of crime are eating away at their quality of life. A good example of this can be seen with comments from Lt. Tom Monahan of Las Vegas Metro Homicide. With him saying, "When you compare the homicide rates with one another, they have remained largely the same over the last five years." (T. Monahan, personal communication, September 7, 2010) Yet, when you consider the facts: that an increasing number of residents are moving to Las Vegas and the recession is making some people more desperate, it is understandable that select individuals have become nervous about the crime rate. As they feel that these various crimes (burglary, robbery and assault) are detracting from the overall quality of life in the community. Once this takes place, it will cause some people to want to leave the area, because of these issues.

Clearly, various economic forces have played an indirect role in determining the crime rate of Clark County. As the increasing population growth is causing the number of: burglaries, robberies and assaults to increase. While the majority of violent and non-violent crimes have seen a decline. This is significant, because it shows how the growth of community and the recession could be contributing to more property / assault related crimes. Where, these kinds of actions will normally accompany growing cities. As a result, one could argue that the recession and the growth of Las Vegas are having an indirect impact upon the crime rate of Clark County.