F
86%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
69%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
89%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peoplePonchatoula/100k peopleLouisiana/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime345n/a (estimate)4,3253,3772,324
Murder0n/a0.016.16.3
Rape1n/a12.543.040.0
Robbery2n/a25.167.366.1
Assault47n/a589.2502.1268.2
Violent crime50n/a (estimate)627629370
Burglary37n/a463.8497.8269.8
Theft246n/a3,083.91,940.01,401.9
Vehicle theft12n/a150.4310.3282.7
Property crime295n/a (estimate)3,6982,7481,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Ponchatoula, LA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Ponchatoula is 86.1% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Ponchatoula, there were 50 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 627 per 100,000 individuals, 69.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 295 property crimes, amounting to 3698 per 100,000 residents, 89.2% higher than the U.S. average.

Ponchatoula has a crime rate of 4325 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 86.08%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Ponchatoula. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Ponchatoula showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

Ponchatoula faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 3698 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Ponchatoula stands at 1 in 28, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Ponchatoula?

AreaVibes surveyed 16 local residents in Ponchatoula to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 31% of people answered that there was very little crime in Ponchatoula and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 69% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Ponchatoula a Safe Place to Live?

Is Ponchatoula a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Ponchatoula has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 86%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.95 daily incidents, encompassing 0.14 violent crimes and 0.81 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Ponchatoula as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Ponchatoula Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Ponchatoula. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Ponchatoula has increased by 39.7%. Violent crimes have increased by 25%, while property crimes have increased by 42.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Ponchatoula

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Ponchatoula, 80.2% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Ponchatoula, the cost of living is 8.34% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Ponchatoula, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 4.19, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Ponchatoula crime map



The Ponchatoula crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Ponchatoula as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Ponchatoula crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Ponchatoula crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Ponchatoula, LA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Ponchatoula crime rates are 86% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Ponchatoula are 69% higher than the national average
      • In Ponchatoula you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Ponchatoula is safer than 9% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Ponchatoula has increased by 34%

      Ponchatoula, LA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Ponchatoula (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Ponchatoula, per 100,000 residents. In Ponchatoula, the total number of daily crimes is 1.28 times more than the Louisiana average and 1.86 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Ponchatoula are 1.00 times less than the Louisiana average and 1.69 times more than the national average. For property crime, Ponchatoula has a daily crime rate that is 1.35 times more than the Louisiana average and 1.89 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Ponchatoula (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Ponchatoula to every other city in Louisiana, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Ponchatoula safe? The gauges above illustrate that Ponchatoula is safer than 31% of every city located within Louisiana along with 9% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Louisiana and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Ponchatoula, LA is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Ponchatoula

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Ponchatoula is 1 in 160
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Ponchatoula is 1 in 28
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Ponchatoula is 1 in 24
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Ponchatoula? In Ponchatoula, you have a 1 in 160 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 28. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Ponchatoula, LA is 1 in 24.

        Year Over Year Crime In Ponchatoula (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Ponchatoula is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Ponchatoula has increased by 20%, while the property crime rate in Ponchatoula has increased by 37% year over year. The number of total crimes in Ponchatoula has increased by 34% year over year.

        Ponchatoula police department

        Item Ponchatoula Louisiana National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)287,311558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.24.23.3
        There are a total of 28 Ponchatoula police officers. This results in 4.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 0.8% less than the Louisiana average and 28.9% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Louisiana

        State Total offenders Louisiana /100K National /100K
        Louisiana12,948286266
        There are a total of 12,948 sex offenders in Louisiana. This yields a total of 286 sex offenders in Louisiana per 100,000 residents which is 8% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Killian, LA1,8521918361,027
        Albany, LA1,3002381,0391,276
        Independence, LA2,5782941,2851,579
        Natalbany, LA2,8473301,4411,770
        Folsom, LA8417223,1563,879
        Springfield, LA5627643,3394,103
        Tickfaw, LA9278053,5174,322
        Ponchatoula, LA7,3116273,6984,325

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        LaFayette, GA7,3104191,9322,351
        Green Hill, TN7,3083721,3751,747
        Hastings, MI7,3144101,4431,853
        Barberton, WA7,3172602,3212,581
        New Cumberland, PA7,30566764830
        Ponchatoula, LA7,3116273,6984,325
        Source: The Ponchatoula, LA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.