| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Watts/100k people | Oklahoma/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4 | n/a (estimate) | 1,439 | 2,752 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 359.7 | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 57.5 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 40.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 1 | n/a | 359.7 | 314.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 2 | n/a (estimate) | 719 | 420 | 370 |
| Burglary | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 482.6 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1 | n/a | 359.7 | 1,535.7 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 1 | n/a | 359.7 | 314.0 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 2 | n/a (estimate) | 719 | 2,332 | 1,954 |
The Watts crime rates are 38.1% lower 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 2 violent crimes in Watts (719 per 100,000 people), which is 94.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 2 property crimes (719 per 100,000 residents) which is 63.2% lower than average.
With a violent crime rate of 719 crimes per 100,000 residents, Watts is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Watts ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 140 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Watts is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 1 murders in Watts, which equates to 360 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Watts being a very dangerous place to live.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Watts, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Watts presents a total crime rate that is 38% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Watts experiences an average of 0.01 daily crimes, comprising 0.01 violent incidents and 0.01 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Watts has decreased by 20%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Watts, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 100%, while property crime has decreased by 50%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Watts is a safe place to live.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Watts, 65.6% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Watts, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 0 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.
In Watts, the average rental rates are $579 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Watts | Oklahoma | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | n/a | 6,557 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Oklahoma /100K | National /100K |
| Oklahoma | 7,097 | 203 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Highfill, AR | 1,383 | 191 | 0 | 191 |
| Gentry, AR | 3,963 | 457 | 361 | 818 |
| Colcord, OK | 870 | 264 | 659 | 922 |
| Chewey, OK | 395 | 170 | 942 | 1,112 |
| Kansas, OK | 1,112 | 0 | 1,230 | 1,230 |
| Prairie Grove, AR | 6,236 | 272 | 1,206 | 1,478 |
| Lincoln, AR | 2,465 | 520 | 1,299 | 1,819 |
| Watts, OK | 286 | 719 | 719 | 1,439 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Spartansburg, PA | 286 | 395 | 2,091 | 2,486 |
| Druid Hills, KY | 286 | 86 | 585 | 672 |
| Hornick, IA | 286 | 382 | 1,780 | 2,162 |
| Pacific Junction, IA | 286 | 378 | 1,759 | 2,137 |
| Wilmont, MN | 286 | 413 | 2,890 | 3,303 |
| Watts, OK | 286 | 719 | 719 | 1,439 |
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