Austin Texas Crime Rate
You’d be hard pressed to find a city anywhere in the world that doesn’t have issues with at least some type of crime, and the Texas state capital of Austin is certainly no exception.
That being said, some types of crime in the Austin area have been on a downturn in recent years. This according to Austin Texas Crime rate data released by the Austin Police Department in 2017 and published by area media outlets.
The highlight of this most recent Austin Texas Crime rate data is that property crimes, including burglary, robbery and automobile theft, have dropped to lows not seen since the late 1990s. Burglaries, for example, dropped 18 percent in 2017, compared to the previous year.
But that’s good news. On the flip side, based on the Austin Texas Crime rate data, violent crimes increases from 408 per 100,000 residents in 2016 to 415 in 2017.
Recent Austin Texas crime rate:
The murder rate actually dropped, from 39 in 2016 to 25 in 2017, but other forms of violent Austin Texas crime rate rose during that same time period. The biggest increase came in the number of reported rapes, which rose 10 percent year over year.
Three of the rapes during 2017 happened on popular bike trails and were well publicized by local media. They were three of a staggering 834 rape cases reported to local authorities during the 2017 calendar year.
To help protect yourself against a possible assault, law enforcement officials and private investigators suggest taking certain precautionary measures. Popular ones include not walking or running during the pre-dawn or twilight periods of the day and always having a buddy or friend with you when out on the trails.
Hiring Professional Licensed Private Investigator
While most well known for several types of investigative work, many private investigators are also trained to serve as bodyguards and can legally carry a weapon after undergoing training classes and becoming a Private Investigator by the State of Texas.
And when you’re talking about areas where there are a large number of violent crimes, particularly those of a sexual nature against women, it’s never a bad idea to have a little muscle with you. This can definitely help to ensure your safety, but it will, at the very least, contribute greatly to your peace of mind.
Private investigators also specialize in recovering stolen property. So if you’ve been the victim of a robbery or theft, they have the time and the know how to investigate and possibly recover your stolen goods.
In order to combat the Austin Texas crime rate, the Austin Police Department has formed task forces that focus on both violent crimes and property crimes, respectively. Members of these groups combat crime by focusing on repeat offenders, as well as having a greater presence in known trouble spots throughout the city.
By all accounts, it is having an effect and every little bit does help. But there will always be a chance that you’ll be the victim of a crime, regardless of where you live. Whether it’s Austin, Texas, New York City, Rio de Janeiro or the North Pole, you can never completely erase the chance of becoming a victim at some point in your life.
But you can take precautions to lower the risks, which often involve using common sense methods and not putting yourself into situations that heighten the chances of becoming a victim.
But if you have become a victim and you need assistance in recovering stolen goods, investigating a crime or other similar type matters, a good and professional licensed private investigator is always a good place to look for help.
Be safe out there!