| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Portales/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 375 | n/a (estimate) | 3,132 | 3,765 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 8.4 | 12.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 9 | n/a | 75.2 | 54.6 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 4 | n/a | 33.4 | 110.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 64 | n/a | 534.4 | 603.3 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 78 | n/a (estimate) | 651 | 781 | 370 |
| Burglary | 142 | n/a | 1,185.8 | 604.0 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 136 | n/a | 1,135.7 | 1,838.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 19 | n/a | 158.7 | 541.7 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 297 | n/a (estimate) | 2,480 | 2,984 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Portales crime rate is higher than the national average by 34.7%. Specifically, there were 78 violent crimes in Portales, equivalent to 651 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 76.1%. Furthermore, Portales recorded 297 property crimes, amounting to 2480 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 26.9%.
What do the local residents think about crime in Portales? Well, based on a recent survey of 5 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 20% of Portales residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 80% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Portales 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, Portales has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 35%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.03 daily incidents, encompassing 0.21 violent crimes and 0.81 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Portales as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Portales. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Portales has increased by 4.2%. Violent crimes have increased by 41.8%, while property crimes have increased by 2.6%. 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.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Portales crime rate. The poverty level in Portales is 25.7%, while the national average is 15.1%.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Portales, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 7.3%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Portales has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 0 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 | Portales | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 36 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 4.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Mexico /100K | National /100K |
| New Mexico | 3,129 | 155 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Portales, NM | 11,713 | 651 | 2,480 | 3,132 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Arlington, TN | 11,715 | 413 | 1,530 | 1,943 |
| Grafton, WI | 11,718 | 48 | 922 | 970 |
| Webster, MA | 11,719 | 691 | 1,184 | 1,875 |
| Florham Park, NJ | 11,719 | 29 | 387 | 417 |
| Wanaque, NJ | 11,719 | 36 | 253 | 289 |
| Portales, NM | 11,713 | 651 | 2,480 | 3,132 |
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