| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | La Plata/100k people | Maryland/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 219 | n/a (estimate) | 1,970 | 2,470 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 7.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 33.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 18.0 | 123.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 22 | n/a | 197.9 | 257.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 24 | n/a (estimate) | 216 | 420 | 359 |
| Burglary | 26 | n/a | 233.9 | 190.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 149 | n/a | 1,340.7 | 1,446.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 20 | n/a | 180.0 | 412.8 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 195 | n/a (estimate) | 1,755 | 2,050 | 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 La Plata is 7% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 24 violent crimes reported in La Plata, equivalent to 216 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 39.9%. Additionally, La Plata recorded 195 property crimes, amounting to 1755 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 0.3%.
The La Plata 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 Plata, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, La Plata reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.
La Plata exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1755 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1760 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that La Plata maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of La Plata residents. Out of the respondents (7 in total), 86% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in La Plata were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 14% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is La Plata a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, La Plata has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 7%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.6 daily incidents, encompassing 0.07 violent crimes and 0.53 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of La Plata as a potential place to call home.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in La Plata. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in La Plata has decreased by 39.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 48.9%, while property crime has decreased by 38.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in La Plata.
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 La Plata, 88.8% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In La Plata, the cost of living is 25.3% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
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 La Plata, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 1.78 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 | La Plata | Maryland | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 16 | 5,343 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.8 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Maryland /100K | National /100K |
| Maryland | 7,370 | 135 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Mason Neck, VA | 1,979 | 31 | 220 | 251 |
| Baden, MD | 1,632 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Hughesville, MD | 2,578 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Hayfield, VA | 4,690 | 57 | 408 | 464 |
| Croom, MD | 2,441 | 87 | 426 | 513 |
| Mechanicsville, MD | 1,765 | 114 | 557 | 671 |
| Mount Vernon, VA | 13,952 | 83 | 598 | 681 |
| La Plata, MD | 9,875 | 216 | 1,755 | 1,970 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Winslow, AZ | 9,874 | 813 | 3,635 | 4,449 |
| Wapakoneta, OH | 9,876 | 92 | 1,100 | 1,192 |
| Lititz, PA | 9,877 | 10 | 438 | 448 |
| Brownsville, TN | 9,877 | 1,036 | 2,504 | 3,541 |
| Bardmoor, FL | 9,880 | 146 | 778 | 924 |
| La Plata, MD | 9,875 | 216 | 1,755 | 1,970 |
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