Shoreline, WA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Shoreline, WA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Shoreline is 34.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 156 violent crimes reported in Shoreline, equivalent to 273 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 26.2%. Additionally, Shoreline recorded 1629 property crimes, amounting to 2851 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 45.9%.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Shoreline faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 301 vehicle thefts, translating to 527 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Shoreline in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 190.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Shoreline?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Shoreline residents. Out of the respondents (15 in total), 33% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Shoreline were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 67% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Shoreline a Safe Place to Live?

Is Shoreline 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, Shoreline has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 34%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.89 daily incidents, encompassing 0.43 violent crimes and 4.46 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Shoreline as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Shoreline Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Shoreline. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Shoreline has increased by 4.3%. Violent crimes have increased by 47.2%, while property crimes have increased by 1.4%. 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 Shoreline

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Shoreline crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Shoreline has an unemployment rate of 2.4%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

In Shoreline, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.23 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on 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. Shoreline has a median home price of $582,000, 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.

Shoreline crime map