Benton, AR Crime Rate 2024 – Latest Statistics

Understanding crime rates is essential for grasping the safety and security of any community. Whether you’re relocating, evaluating neighborhood safety, or simply staying informed about your area’s well-being, knowing the crime statistics can provide valuable insights. Here, Lemley Law Partners shares how Benton, AR, crime rates can help you better understand patterns, identify trends, and make informed decisions that impact personal safety and quality of life.

Understanding Benton Crime Rates

Understanding crime rates in Benton, Arkansas, is key to assessing the safety and security of this growing community. Benton, located in Saline County and part of the Little Rock metropolitan area, generally experiences lower crime rates compared to larger urban centers, but crime statistics can still vary significantly across different neighborhoods.

By examining local crime reports, trends in violent and property crime, and comparisons with regional and national averages, residents and prospective movers can gain insight into the area’s safety dynamics. Awareness of these statistics can help individuals make informed decisions about their living environment and personal safety, ensuring they are well-prepared to address potential risks and engage with community safety initiatives.

The violent crime rate in Arkansas in 2022 was 645.3 per 100,000 residents, which is considered high when compared with the national average of 380.7 per 100,000 residents in the same year. The property crime rate in Arkansas in 2022 was 2,451.5 per 100,000 people, and nationally was 1,954.4 per 100,000 people.

The majority of violent crimes were committed by either an unknown person or the boyfriend or girlfriend of the victim, and the main types of weapons used in these crimes included personal weapons and handguns. The majority of these violent crimes happened in the home of the victim or on a highway, alley, street, or sidewalk.

Crime Rates Explained

Crime rates are statistical measures used to quantify the incidence of criminal activities within a specific area over a defined period of time. They provide insights into the frequency and types of crimes occurring in a community, helping to gauge overall safety and security.

Generally, crime rates are divided into two categories. Violent and property crimes. Violent crime rates measure incidents of violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime rates measure incidents of property crimes such as burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Crime rates provide a snapshot of criminal activity but should be interpreted in context. Higher crime rates might indicate increased criminal activity or more effective reporting practices, while lower rates might reflect a safer environment or less reporting. Comparing crime rates across different areas or over time helps identify trends and assess changes in crime patterns.

Crime data is collected from law enforcement agencies, including police departments and sheriff’s offices. This information is then compiled and reported to various databases and organizations, such as the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Crimes reported to the police are documented in crime reports, which include details such as the type of crime, location, date, and sometimes suspect and victim information.

Crime rates inform policymakers and law enforcement agencies about developing strategies to address and reduce crime, allocate resources, and improve community safety initiatives.

It is important to note that not all crimes are reported to the police, which can lead to underestimation of actual crime rates. Factors such as fear of retaliation, distrust of law enforcement, or personal reasons can affect reporting. Differences in reporting practices and definitions of crimes can impact data consistency across different jurisdictions.

FAQs

Q: Is Benton a Safe Place to Live?

A: Benton is generally considered a safe place to live, especially when compared to larger urban areas. However, as with any city, safety can vary depending on specific neighborhoods and personal experiences. While property crime is something to be mindful of in Benton, the city offers a good quality of life with amenities, good schools, and active law enforcement.

As with any location, it’s important to research specific neighborhoods and consider personal preferences when evaluating safety.

Q: What Is the Crime Rate in Arkansas?

A: The crime rate in Benton, Arkansas, as reported by the Crime Data Explorer from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was a violent crime rate of 645.3 per 100,000 people in 2022. Crime rates are gathered and determined through a structured process involving data collection, reporting, and analysis, but it is important to note that it may not be all-encompassing.

The data that is available is a collection of the reported crimes, and there may be crimes that went unreported or were missed in the data recall. The FBI manages the UCR program that collects crime data from law enforcement agencies across the US.

Q: Where Does Arkansas Rank in Crime?

A: Arkansas ranks generally higher than the national average for crime rates in the United States. The violent crime rate for Arkansas in 2022 was 645.3 per 100,000 residents, whereas in the United States as a whole, the crime rate was 380.7 per 100,000 residents in the same year. This shows that Arkansas ranks significantly higher than the country at large.

Q: What City in Arkansas Has the Lowest Crime Rate?

A: The city in Arkansas that has a low crime rate includes Greenbrier. While Arkansas at large has quite a high violent crime rate, there are several areas within the state that are considered quite safe. Generally, smaller towns and suburban areas tend to have lower crime rates.

Speak With a Criminal Defense Attorney in Arkansas Today

Understanding crime rates is not just about assessing the safety of your community — it’s also about being prepared for the unexpected. Awareness of crime statistics helps you make informed decisions about where you live and how you protect yourself and your loved ones. However, it’s also important to recognize that when faced with criminal charges, having a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense lawyer is crucial.

Lemley Law Partners criminal defense attorneys are here when you need them. Reach out today to set up a consultation and learn how we can help in your legal matter.