| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Liberal/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 8 | n/a (estimate) | 1,252 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 7.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 45.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 51.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 3 | n/a | 469.5 | 357.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 3 | n/a (estimate) | 469 | 462 | 359 |
| Burglary | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 236.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 5 | n/a | 782.5 | 1,306.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 398.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 5 | n/a (estimate) | 782 | 1,941 | 1,760 |
The Liberal crime rates are 40.9% lower 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 3 violent crimes in Liberal (469 per 100,000 people), which is 30.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 5 property crimes (782 per 100,000 residents) which is 55.5% lower than average.
Liberal 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 United States contends with some of the world's highest vehicle theft rates, with approximately 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a modest fraction, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to have zero reported instances of stolen vehicles. Liberal stands out as one of these cities, as it reported no vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report, underscoring its commitment to a secure environment.
Is Liberal 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, Liberal has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 41%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.02 daily incidents, encompassing 0.01 violent crimes and 0.01 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Liberal as a potential place to call home.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Liberal currently has an unemployment rate of 7.8%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
In Liberal, 76.8% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
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 Liberal, the cost of living is 26.44% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Liberal | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | n/a | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 3.7 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Missouri /100K | National /100K |
| Missouri | 19,657 | 344 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Frontenac, KS | 3,466 | 89 | 920 | 1,010 |
| Arma, KS | 1,412 | 189 | 840 | 1,029 |
| Moundville, MO | 111 | 657 | 2,760 | 3,417 |
| Sheldon, MO | 420 | 667 | 2,801 | 3,468 |
| Mulberry, KS | 439 | 638 | 2,842 | 3,479 |
| Lamar, MO | 4,393 | 93 | 3,616 | 3,709 |
| Arcadia, KS | 419 | 703 | 3,132 | 3,835 |
| Liberal, MO | 691 | 469 | 782 | 1,252 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Howard, KS | 691 | 620 | 2,764 | 3,384 |
| Wyalusing, PA | 691 | 278 | 1,620 | 1,898 |
| Hickory Flat, MS | 691 | 261 | 1,692 | 1,953 |
| Alpha, IL | 691 | 354 | 2,098 | 2,451 |
| Timber Lake, SD | 692 | 492 | 2,156 | 2,648 |
| Liberal, MO | 691 | 469 | 782 | 1,252 |
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