Massachusetts is one of the safest states in the US, with a violent crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 10.4 per 1,000 people. However, not all cities in the state are equally safe. Some cities have higher crime rates than others, and some may surprise you with their crime statistics. In this article, we will reveal which city has the highest crime rate in Massachusetts, and why it is so.
The City with the Highest Crime Rate in Massachusetts
According to the latest data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the city with the highest crime rate in Massachusetts is Springfield. Springfield is the third-largest city in the state, with a population of about 155,000 people. It is located in the western part of the state, near the Connecticut River.
Springfield has a crime rate of 67.5 per 1,000 residents, which is more than four times the state average and higher than 97% of the cities in the US. Springfield reported 10,472 crimes in 2019, including 1,038 violent crimes and 9,434 property crimes. The violent crime rate in Springfield is 6.7 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 60.8 per 1,000 residents.
The most common types of crimes in Springfield are theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. Springfield had 5,551 thefts, 1,999 burglaries, and 1,884 motor vehicle thefts in 2019. The city also had 18 murders, 70 rapes, 403 robberies, and 547 assaults in the same year.
Why is Springfield So Crime-Ridden?
There are many factors that may contribute to the high crime rate in Springfield, such as poverty, unemployment, education, drugs, gangs, and police resources. Here are some of the possible reasons why Springfield is so crime-ridden:
Poverty: Springfield has a poverty rate of 25.9%, which is more than double the state average of 10.5%. Poverty is often linked to crime, as people may resort to illegal activities to survive or cope with their situation.
Unemployment: Springfield has an unemployment rate of 6.9%, which is higher than the state average of 4.9%. Unemployment can lead to frustration, hopelessness, and desperation, which may increase the likelihood of crime.
Education: Springfield has a low educational attainment level, with only 19.4% of the population having a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the state average of 42.1%. Education can provide opportunities, skills, and knowledge that can help people avoid or escape crime.
Drugs: Springfield has a serious drug problem, with high rates of opioid abuse, overdose, and death. Drugs can fuel crime, as users may commit crimes to obtain or use drugs, or as dealers may compete for territory and customers.
Gangs: Springfield has a significant gang presence, with several gangs operating in the city, such as the Latin Kings, the Outlaws, and the Sycamore Street Posse. Gangs can cause violence, intimidation, and turf wars, as well as recruit vulnerable youth into crime.
Police resources: Springfield has a limited police force, with only 413 sworn officers serving a population of 155,000 people. This means that there are only 2.7 officers per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 3.4 officers per 1,000 residents. Police resources can affect the ability to prevent, respond to, and solve crimes.
Conclusion
Springfield is the city with the highest crime rate in Massachusetts, with a crime rate of 67.5 per 1,000 residents. Springfield has high rates of both violent and property crimes, and faces many challenges that may contribute to its crime problem, such as poverty, unemployment, education, drugs, gangs, and police resources. Springfield is not a safe place to live, work, or visit, and needs more efforts and resources to address its crime issues and improve its quality of life.