| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Hazel Crest/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 407 | n/a (estimate) | 3,233 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 71.5 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 19 | n/a | 150.9 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 40 | n/a | 317.8 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 68 | n/a (estimate) | 540 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 79 | n/a | 627.6 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 174 | n/a | 1,382.3 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 86 | n/a | 683.2 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 339 | n/a (estimate) | 2,693 | 1,715 | 1,760 |

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Hazel Crest is 52.6% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 68 violent crimes reported in Hazel Crest, equivalent to 540 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 50.4%. Additionally, Hazel Crest recorded 339 property crimes, amounting to 2693 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 53%.
Hazel Crest showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Hazel Crest faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 86 vehicle thefts, translating to 683 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Hazel Crest 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 147.
AreaVibes surveyed 20 local residents in Hazel Crest to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 40% of people answered that there was very little crime in Hazel Crest and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 60% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
To determine if Hazel Crest 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. Hazel Crest has a total crime rate that is 53% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.12 daily crimes (0.19 violent daily crimes and 0.93 daily property crimes) in Hazel Crest.
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 Hazel Crest 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 Hazel Crest has decreased by 26.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 11.5% and property crime has decreased by 31.1%.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Hazel Crest crime rates. In Hazel Crest, the poverty rate stands at 15.4%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Hazel Crest has a population density of 4213.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Hazel Crest crime rates.
Hazel Crest has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.33 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 | Hazel Crest | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 33 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Illinois /100K | National /100K |
| Illinois | 32,213 | 263 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| St. John, IN | 18,872 | 24 | 129 | 153 |
| Manhattan, IL | 8,415 | 37 | 192 | 229 |
| Homer Glen, IL | 25,242 | 16 | 277 | 293 |
| Indian Head Park, IL | 3,873 | 0 | 312 | 312 |
| Cedar Lake, IN | 13,302 | 66 | 263 | 328 |
| Dyer, IN | 16,417 | 12 | 344 | 356 |
| Willow Springs, IL | 5,786 | 0 | 390 | 390 |
| Hazel Crest, IL | 14,284 | 540 | 2,693 | 3,233 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Riverhead, NY | 14,287 | 325 | 1,472 | 1,797 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 14,278 | 204 | 2,366 | 2,569 |
| Hidalgo, TX | 14,290 | 134 | 1,455 | 1,590 |
| Loveland, OH | 14,297 | 84 | 420 | 504 |
| Royal Kunia, HI | 14,269 | 165 | 1,476 | 1,641 |
| Hazel Crest, IL | 14,284 | 540 | 2,693 | 3,233 |