Rock Island, IL Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Rock Island, IL

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Rock Island crime rate is higher than the national average by 35.7%. Specifically, there were 204 violent crimes in Rock Island, equivalent to 563 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 52.2%. Furthermore, Rock Island recorded 939 property crimes, amounting to 2591 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 32.6%.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Rock Island stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Rock Island, there were a total of 11 murders, translating to 30 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Rock Island has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Rock Island reported 189 vehicle thefts, which equates to 522 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Rock Island is 1 in 192.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Rock Island?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Rock Island residents. Out of the respondents (26 in total), 38% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Rock Island were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 62% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Rock Island a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Rock Island is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Rock Island has a total crime rate that is 36% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 3.13 daily crimes (0.56 violent daily crimes and 2.57 daily property crimes) in Rock Island.

Has Crime in Rock Island Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Rock Island. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Rock Island has decreased by 0.3%. Violent crimes have decreased by 14.6%, while property crimes have decreased by 3.5%. 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 Rock Island

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Rock Island, the cost of living is 13.12% lower than the national average.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Rock Island, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.82 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Rock Island has a median home price of $106,300, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Rock Island crime map