| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Moses Lake/100k people | Washington/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,533 | n/a (estimate) | 5,963 | 3,732 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 7.8 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 35.0 | 39.2 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 25 | n/a | 97.2 | 86.8 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 98 | n/a | 381.2 | 244.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 134 | n/a (estimate) | 521 | 376 | 370 |
| Burglary | 193 | n/a | 750.7 | 563.0 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,103 | n/a | 4,290.3 | 2,154.0 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 103 | n/a | 400.6 | 639.3 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,399 | n/a (estimate) | 5,442 | 3,356 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Moses Lake is 156.6% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Moses Lake, there were 134 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 521 per 100,000 individuals, 41% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1399 property crimes, amounting to 5442 per 100,000 residents, 178.4% higher than the U.S. average.
With a total of 5963 crimes per 100,000 people, the Moses Lake crime rates stand at 156.56 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Moses Lake, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.
Moses Lake reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 5442 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 19 chance of falling victim to property crime in Moses Lake, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Moses Lake faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 103 vehicle thefts, translating to 401 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Moses Lake 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 250.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Moses Lake residents. Out of the respondents (36 in total), 8% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Moses Lake were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 92% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Determining whether Moses Lake is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Moses Lake has an overall crime rate that is 157% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 4.2 daily occurrences, comprising 0.37 violent crimes and 3.83 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Moses Lake as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Moses Lake. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Moses Lake has increased by 59.9%. Violent crimes have increased by 54%, while property crimes have increased by 60.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
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 Moses Lake 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. Moses Lake has an unemployment rate of 3.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
In Moses Lake, 79.1% 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.
In Moses Lake, the average rental rates are $965 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Moses Lake | Washington | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 42 | 8,169 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Washington /100K | National /100K |
| Washington | 6,688 | 107 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Cascade Valley, WA | 3,234 | 174 | 1,556 | 1,730 |
| Moses Lake North, WA | 4,664 | 391 | 3,487 | 3,877 |
| Warden, WA | 2,773 | 78 | 4,002 | 4,079 |
| Ephrata, WA | 8,081 | 236 | 5,080 | 5,316 |
| Moses Lake, WA | 23,442 | 521 | 5,442 | 5,963 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| West Melbourne, FL | 23,454 | 233 | 1,338 | 1,571 |
| Bailey's Crossroads, VA | 23,459 | 215 | 1,562 | 1,777 |
| Apollo Beach, FL | 23,487 | 165 | 996 | 1,161 |
| Wilmington, MA | 23,390 | 149 | 854 | 1,003 |
| Tumwater, WA | 23,390 | 229 | 3,359 | 3,588 |
| Moses Lake, WA | 23,442 | 521 | 5,442 | 5,963 |
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