Fort Worth, Texas is the city with the highest crime rate in the state. In 2020, the violent crime rate in Fort Worth was 1,038.2 per 100,000 residents, and the property crime rate was 5,227.4 per 100,000 residents. This means that a person in Fort Worth is more than twice as likely to be a victim of crime than a person in the average U.S. city.
Violent crime is defined as any crime that involves the use of force or threat of force against another person, such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime is defined as any crime that involves the theft or destruction of property, such as burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Factors that contribute to Fort Worth’s high crime rate:
- Poverty: Fort Worth’s poverty rate is 14.7%, which is higher than the state average of 13.5%. Poverty is a major risk factor for crime, as people who are struggling to make ends meet are more likely to turn to crime to support themselves or their families.
- Youth population: Fort Worth has a large population of young people, with 27% of the population under the age of 18. Young people are more likely to commit crimes than older adults, due to a number of factors, including impulsivity, peer pressure, and lack of economic opportunities.
- Location: Fort Worth is located on a major interstate highway, which makes it a hub for drug trafficking and other criminal activity. The city is also home to a number of low-income neighborhoods, which are often more crime-ridden than more affluent neighborhoods.
What is the Fort Worth Police Department doing to address the high crime rate?
The Fort Worth Police Department is working to address the city’s high crime rate through a variety of initiatives, including:
- Community policing: The Fort Worth Police Department has implemented a number of community policing programs, which aim to build relationships between the police and the communities they serve. These programs include neighborhood watch programs, community meetings, and foot patrols.
- Targeted enforcement: The Fort Worth Police Department has also implemented a number of targeted enforcement programs, which focus on specific crime problems in specific areas of the city. For example, the department has a gang unit that focuses on gang-related crime, and a narcotics unit that focuses on drug trafficking.
- Crime prevention programs: The Fort Worth Police Department also offers a number of crime prevention programs, which are designed to reduce the risk of crime in the city. These programs include after-school programs for youth, job training programs for adults, and home security assessments.
How can I protect myself from crime in Fort Worth?
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from crime in Fort Worth, including:
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night.
- Lock your doors and windows, even when you’re home.
- Install a security system.
- Get involved in your community and help to build a sense of neighborhood.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police.
If you are a victim of crime in Fort Worth, there are a number of resources available to help you, including the Fort Worth Police Department, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. You can also contact a victim’s advocate for assistance.
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