| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Forrest City/100k people | Arkansas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 497 | n/a (estimate) | 4,030 | 2,509 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 40.5 | 7.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 7 | n/a | 56.8 | 69.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 3 | n/a | 24.3 | 38.6 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 130 | n/a | 1,054.2 | 463.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 145 | n/a (estimate) | 1,176 | 579 | 359 |
| Burglary | 53 | n/a | 429.8 | 352.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 250 | n/a | 2,027.3 | 1,400.0 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 49 | n/a | 397.3 | 176.8 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 352 | n/a (estimate) | 2,854 | 1,930 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Forrest City crime rate is 90.2% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Forrest City, there were 145 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1176 per 100,000 individuals, 227.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, Forrest City recorded 352 property crimes, amounting to 2854 per 100,000 residents, 62.2% higher than the U.S. average.
In Forrest City, the crime rate stands at 4030 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 90.17%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Forrest City that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Forrest City ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1176 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Forrest City stand at 1 in every 86 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Forrest City stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Forrest City, there were a total of 5 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.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Forrest City. Based on the results of the surveys (24 responses), 8% of people felt that there was very little crime in Forrest City and felt safe walking alone at night. While 92% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Forrest City a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Forrest City crime rate is 90% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.36 crimes per day - 0.4 violent crimes and 0.96 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Forrest City crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Forrest City has decreased by 44.8% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 41.8% and property crime has decreased by 46%.
Forrest City reports an unemployment rate of 2.9%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Forrest City crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Forrest City, the cost of living is 21.57% lower than the national average.
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 Forrest City, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.75 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.
| Item | Forrest City | Arkansas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 42 | 5,164 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Arkansas /100K | National /100K |
| Arkansas | 8,875 | 323 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Madison, AR | 1,083 | 306 | 1,019 | 1,324 |
| Caldwell, AR | 460 | 703 | 2,343 | 3,045 |
| Haynes, AR | 122 | 802 | 2,674 | 3,476 |
| Palestine, AR | 866 | 818 | 2,726 | 3,544 |
| Widener, AR | 229 | 936 | 3,119 | 4,055 |
| Forrest City, AR | 14,474 | 1,176 | 2,854 | 4,030 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Artondale, WA | 14,469 | 124 | 939 | 1,064 |
| Williamstown, NJ | 14,480 | 240 | 1,568 | 1,807 |
| Lewisville, NC | 14,467 | 221 | 1,156 | 1,377 |
| Sun Village, CA | 14,465 | 664 | 2,841 | 3,505 |
| Vail, AZ | 14,464 | 202 | 856 | 1,057 |
| Forrest City, AR | 14,474 | 1,176 | 2,854 | 4,030 |
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