IN SHORT: Jacksonville and Beebe are the most violent per capita, while Austin and Searcy are the safest, according to recently released 2009 data.
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Along Hwy. 67/167 in central Arkansas, Beebe is the most violent city per capita to live in followed by Jacksonville, according to recently released FBI statistics for 2009.
Austin is the safest, followed by Searcy, according to the report. Most communities have seen an increase in crime.
The report tracks violent crimes at the city, county and state levels. Violent crimes include murder, rape and sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault. The report also lists property crimes, burglary, larceny and theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.
Arkansas averages 5.1 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, based on the FBI figures. This is up 3.4 percent from 2008.
Area cities over the state average include Beebe with eight violent crimes per 1,000 residents, Jacksonville at 7.5 violent crimes per 1,000, Lonoke had six violent crimes per 1,000 people, Sherwood was at 5.9 violent crimes per 1,000 and Ward at 5.3 per thousand residents.
Only Austin and Searcy were below the state average.
Austin had a skimpy .4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, Searcy was at three violent crimes per thousand people and Cabot had 3.2 violent crimes per 1000 residents.
In fact, your chances of being a violent-crime victim in Beebe is about 20 times greater than in Austin.
Beebe also had the most murders in 2009—three. Sherwood was the only other city in the area to have a murder in 2009—it had one.
Going from worst to best, Beebe (population 7,096) had 58 violent crimes in 2009, including three murders, six rapes or sexual assaults, one robbery and 48 aggravated assaults, up from 2008. The city also had 310 property crimes, 135 burglaries, 155 larcenies or thefts, 20 vehicle thefts and one arson.
Jacksonville (pop. 31,480) had 235 violent crimes in 2009, including 17 rapes or sexual assaults, 38 robberies and 180 aggravated assaults, which are down from 2008.
The city also had 1,473 property crimes, 369 burglaries, 1,036 larcenies or thefts, 68 vehicle thefts and 10 arsons. The city had no murders in 2009.
Lonoke (pop. 4,636) had 28 violent crimes in 2009, including two rapes or sexual assaults, two robberies and 24 aggravated assaults, up from 2008.
The city also had 209 property crimes, 66 burglaries, 140 larcenies or thefts and three vehicle thefts. The city had no murders.
Sherwood (pop. 24,888) had 148 violent crimes, including one murder, six rapes or sexual assaults, 21 robberies and 120 aggravated assaults, which are up from 2008.
The city also had 1.096 property crimes, 239 burglaries, 782 larcenies or thefts, 75 stolen vehicles and two arsons.
Ward (pop. 4,086) had 22 violent crimes, including one rape or sexual assault, one robbery and 20 aggravated assaults, down slightly from 2008. The city also had 117 property crimes, 38 burglaries, 78 larcenies or thefts, one vehicle theft and no arsons. Ward had no murders for the year.
Cabot (pop. 24,766) had 81 violent crimes in 2009, including 12 rapes or sexual assaults, six robberies and 63 aggravated assaults, up from 2008. The city also had 810 property crimes, 329 burglaries, 461 larcenies or thefts and 20 stolen vehicles.
The city had no murders or arsons in 2009.
Searcy (pop. 22,647) had 70 violent crimes in 2009, including seven rapes or sexual assaults, 14 robberies and 49 aggravated assaults, up from 2008. The city also had 1,203 property crimes, 426 burglaries, 737 larcenies or thefts, 40 stolen vehicles and six arsons.
Austin (pop. 2,054) had just one violent crime for all of 2009 and it was an aggravated assault.
The city also had 19 property crimes, nine burglaries, eight larcenies or thefts and two motor-vehicle thefts. In 2008, the city had no violent crimes.
