Beaumont, Texas, a vibrant city in the southeastern region of the state, is home to approximately 118,000 residents.
Renowned for its thriving oil industry, rich cultural diversity, and captivating historical landmarks, Beaumont offers a unique blend of attractions.
However, it is important to note that the city grapples with a comparatively higher crime rate than national and state averages.
Based on the latest statistics provided by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, Beaumont witnessed 4,534 reported crimes in 2019, resulting in a crime rate of 2,692 incidents per 100,000 individuals.
It’s noteworthy that this crime rate surpasses both the average crime rate of 2,346 incidents per 100,000 individuals in the state of Texas and the national rate of 1,387 incidents per 100,000 individuals.
Beaumont’s crime rate encompasses a range of both violent and property offenses.
Violent crimes encompass grave acts like homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Property crimes comprise incidents such as burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
In 2019, Beaumont experienced a violent crime rate of 611.8 per 100,000 people, surpassing the national average of 22.7 per 100,000 people.
This alarming statistic indicates that the city’s violent crime rate is more than double the national average.
Additionally, there was an unfortunate rise in homicides from 13 in 2018 to 19 in 2019.
Furthermore, Beaumont had a property crime rate of 2,080.1 per 100,000 people in 2019, which exceeds the national average of 1,364.3 per 100,000 people.
These figures underline the higher incidence of property crimes in Beaumont compared to the rest of the country.
The high crime rate in Beaumont can be attributed to various factors that include poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, gang activity, and insufficient law enforcement resources.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Beaumont had a poverty rate of 21.4% in 2019, surpassing both the state average of 13.6% and the national average of 10.5%.
In terms of unemployment, Beaumont recorded a rate of 6.5% in November 2020, which is higher than the state average of 5.7% and the national average of 4.4%.
Furthermore, the drug overdose death rate in Beaumont stood at 18.6 per 100,000 people in 2018, exceeding both the state average of 10.5 per 100,000 people and the national average of 14.6 per 100,000 people.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Gang Threat Assessment Report for 2020-2021, Beaumont faces significant challenges related to gang violence and organized crime.
The city is home to various gangs actively engaged in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, extortion, and homicide.
Among the prominent gangs operating in Beaumont are the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT), Tango Blast (TB), Bloods (BLD), Crips (CRP), Latin Kings (LK), Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Mexican Mafia (EME), Sureños (SUR), Texas Syndicate (TS), and White Knights (WK).
Furthermore, when considering cities of similar size, Beaumont faces a challenge with its comparatively limited police officer per capita.
The data from the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted Program (LEOKA) for the years 2019-2020 reveals that Beaumont has a ratio of one police officer for every 528 residents.
This figure is below the average ratio observed in cities with populations ranging from 100,000 to 249,999, which is one police officer for every 417 residents.
What can you do to stay safe in Beaumont?
If you live in or plan to visit Beaumont, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of crime.
Some of these steps include :
- Avoid walking alone at night or in unfamiliar areas.
- Lock your doors and windows at home and in your car.
- Do not leave valuables or personal items visible in your car.
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.
- Join or start a neighborhood watch program.
- Get to know your neighbors and community members.
- Seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues.
- Support local initiatives that aim to prevent crime, such as youth programs, education, job training, and social services.
The crime rate in Beaumont, Texas poses a significant concern, impacting the well-being and security of both its inhabitants and tourists.
Nevertheless, through awareness, preventive measures, and community collaboration, we have the potential to enhance the safety and livability of Beaumont.