| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | La Junta/100k people | Colorado/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 393 | n/a (estimate) | 5,410 | 3,640 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 41.3 | 6.4 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 10 | n/a | 137.7 | 63.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 13.8 | 72.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 14 | n/a | 192.7 | 350.1 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 28 | n/a (estimate) | 385 | 493 | 370 |
| Burglary | 64 | n/a | 881.1 | 395.2 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 263 | n/a | 3,620.6 | 1,966.7 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 38 | n/a | 523.1 | 785.7 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 365 | n/a (estimate) | 5,025 | 3,148 | 1,954 |
The La Junta crime rates are 132.8% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 28 violent crimes in La Junta (385 per 100,000 people), which is 4.2% higher than the national average and there were a total of 365 property crimes (5025 per 100,000 residents) which is 157.1% higher than average.
With a crime rate of 5410 per 100,000 residents, La Junta has a crime rate that is 132.78% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in La Junta that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
La Junta exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 385 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 370. This uniformity underscores La Junta as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. La Junta stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In La Junta, there were a total of 3 murders, translating to 41 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
La Junta reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 5025 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 20 chance of falling victim to property crime in La Junta, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and La Junta ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 38 vehicle thefts, amounting to 523 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places La Junta within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 192.
What do the local residents think about crime in La Junta? Well, based on a recent survey of 14 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 36% of La Junta residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 64% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether La Junta is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, La Junta has an overall crime rate that is 133% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 1.08 daily occurrences, comprising 0.08 violent crimes and 1 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of La Junta as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in La Junta. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in La Junta has increased by 9.8%. Violent crimes have decreased by 24.3%, while property crimes have increased by 13.7%. 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.
Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower La Junta crime rates. For instance, in La Junta, the population density stands at 2163.8 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
La Junta has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.78 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
The median home price in La Junta is $94,800, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | La Junta | Colorado | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 20 | 9,049 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 9.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Colorado /100K | National /100K |
| Colorado | 11,204 | 251 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rocky Ford, CO | 3,833 | 78 | 573 | 652 |
| Swink, CO | 824 | 754 | 4,827 | 5,581 |
| North La Junta, CO | 382 | 795 | 5,087 | 5,882 |
| Cheraw, CO | 202 | 795 | 5,087 | 5,882 |
| La Junta, CO | 6,907 | 385 | 5,025 | 5,410 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Treasure Island, FL | 6,910 | 84 | 509 | 593 |
| Herkimer, NY | 6,912 | 534 | 2,145 | 2,680 |
| Mila Doce, TX | 6,901 | 562 | 2,992 | 3,554 |
| Sturgis, SD | 6,914 | 435 | 2,626 | 3,061 |
| Brier, WA | 6,899 | 155 | 977 | 1,132 |
| La Junta, CO | 6,907 | 385 | 5,025 | 5,410 |
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