| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | La Mesa/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,440 | n/a (estimate) | 2,387 | 2,843 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.7 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 10 | n/a | 16.6 | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 49 | n/a | 81.2 | 123.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 124 | n/a | 205.5 | 332.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 184 | n/a (estimate) | 305 | 500 | 370 |
| Burglary | 172 | n/a | 285.1 | 371.9 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 883 | n/a | 1,463.5 | 1,499.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 201 | n/a | 333.2 | 471.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,256 | n/a (estimate) | 2,082 | 2,343 | 1,954 |
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 La Mesa is 2.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 184 violent crimes reported in La Mesa, equivalent to 305 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 17.5%. Additionally, La Mesa recorded 1256 property crimes, amounting to 2082 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 6.5%.
The La Mesa crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in La Mesa, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.
La Mesa maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In La Mesa, 2082 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.
What do the local residents think about crime in La Mesa? Well, based on a recent survey of 30 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 53% of La Mesa residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 47% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if La Mesa 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. La Mesa has a total crime rate that is 3% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 3.95 daily crimes (0.5 violent daily crimes and 3.44 daily property crimes) in La Mesa.
Year-over-year crime rates in La Mesa has increased by 10.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not La Mesa is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 17.2%, while property crime has increased by 9.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in La Mesa.
La Mesa has a poverty rate that stands at 12.4, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in La Mesa crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in La Mesa crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. La Mesa has an unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In La Mesa, 89.2% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
| Item | La Mesa | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 94 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.6 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Granite Hills, CA | 4,020 | 111 | 518 | 629 |
| Crest, CA | 2,721 | 203 | 952 | 1,155 |
| Santee, CA | 57,407 | 259 | 900 | 1,159 |
| Jamul, CA | 5,776 | 254 | 1,192 | 1,447 |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 27,334 | 397 | 1,057 | 1,454 |
| Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA | 1,154 | 270 | 1,265 | 1,535 |
| Chula Vista, CA | 268,779 | 351 | 1,277 | 1,628 |
| La Mesa, CA | 60,208 | 305 | 2,082 | 2,387 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sanford, FL | 60,337 | 579 | 2,965 | 3,544 |
| Bristol, CT | 60,039 | 79 | 1,312 | 1,391 |
| Ocala, FL | 60,021 | 363 | 2,196 | 2,559 |
| Utica, NY | 59,984 | 568 | 3,408 | 3,976 |
| Novi, MI | 60,439 | 73 | 838 | 911 |
| La Mesa, CA | 60,208 | 305 | 2,082 | 2,387 |
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