| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Belen/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 405 | n/a (estimate) | 5,394 | 3,468 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 10.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 13.3 | 53.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 13.3 | 65.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 85 | n/a | 1,132.1 | 587.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 87 | n/a (estimate) | 1,159 | 717 | 359 |
| Burglary | 71 | n/a | 945.7 | 500.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 198 | n/a | 2,637.2 | 1,750.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 49 | n/a | 652.6 | 499.9 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 318 | n/a (estimate) | 4,235 | 2,751 | 1,760 |
The Belen crime rates are 154.5% 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 87 violent crimes in Belen (1159 per 100,000 people), which is 222.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 318 property crimes (4235 per 100,000 residents) which is 140.6% higher than average.
Having a crime rate of 5394 per 100,000 residents, Belen experiences a crime rate that is 154.54% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Belen contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Belen is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1159 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Belen is 1 in 87.
In the latest reported crime year, Belen recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.
Belen has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4235 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Belen is 1 in 24, which is far higher than the national average.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Belen faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 49 vehicle thefts, translating to 653 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Belen in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 154.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Belen residents. Out of the respondents (21 in total), 14% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Belen were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 86% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Belen is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Belen has a total crime rate that is 155% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.11 daily crimes (0.24 violent daily crimes and 0.87 daily property crimes) in Belen.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Belen. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Belen has decreased by 21.5%. Violent crimes have decreased by 39.6%, while property crimes have decreased by 14.5%. 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.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Belen, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4.8%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In Belen, the cost of living is 11.65% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.
Belen has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 3 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.
| Item | Belen | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 22 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.0 | 4.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Mexico /100K | National /100K |
| New Mexico | 3,129 | 155 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Tome, NM | 1,636 | 128 | 490 | 617 |
| Bosque Farms, NM | 3,984 | 147 | 660 | 806 |
| Peralta, NM | 3,676 | 145 | 724 | 869 |
| Valencia, NM | 2,049 | 212 | 815 | 1,027 |
| El Cerro, NM | 3,231 | 269 | 1,031 | 1,300 |
| Las Maravillas, NM | 2,001 | 283 | 1,085 | 1,368 |
| Los Chaves, NM | 5,075 | 336 | 1,290 | 1,626 |
| Belen, NM | 7,771 | 1,159 | 4,235 | 5,394 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Kenwood, OH | 7,774 | 103 | 544 | 647 |
| Clear Lake, IA | 7,775 | 252 | 1,632 | 1,884 |
| Meridianville, AL | 7,766 | 184 | 801 | 985 |
| Robinwood, MD | 7,766 | 354 | 1,727 | 2,081 |
| Twin Lakes, CO | 7,765 | 287 | 1,563 | 1,850 |
| Belen, NM | 7,771 | 1,159 | 4,235 | 5,394 |
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