Texas Border Business
McAllen has once again been recognized as one of the top cities in America for its low crime rate, but this time, the ranking compares the direct economic costs of crime to individual victims, perpetrators, communities and society at large. MoneyGeek website analyzed crime statistics and research findings based on victim; criminal justice systems; crime career; and intangible costs to estimate the cost of crimes in over 300 cities across the United States, ranking McAllen as #15 overall.
Victims costs include: direct economic losses suffered by crime victims, including medical care costs, lost earnings, and property loss/damage;
Criminal justice system costs include: local, state, and federal government funds spent on police protection, legal and adjudication services, and corrections programs, including incarceration;
Crime career costs include: opportunity costs associated with the criminal’s choice to engage in illegal rather than legal and productive activities; and
Intangible costs include: indirect losses suffered by crime victims, including pain and suffering, decreased quality of life, and psychological distress.
To assess the safest cities, Money Geek analyzed crime data, ,including violent crimes such as murder, rape and aggravated assault and property crimes such as home burglary and motor vehicle theft. MoneyGeek calculated each city’s cost of crime and ranked the cities based on the cost of crime per capita. Researchers also quantified how much more violent crimes cost a community than property crimes.
According to the researchers, crime and safety play a part in a community’s prosperity, income and economic opportunity. Aside from the imminent danger of crime, people living in higher crime areas see depressed home values and pay higher prices for crucial needs, including home, renters and auto insurance.
“This ranking of McAllen as a safe city, based on the cost of crime in our community, is a testament to the hard work of our McAllen Police Department and all of our law enforcement agencies in our area, who work quickly and diligently to not only protect from and prevent crime, but also, to resolve crime when it happens,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “Additionally, this community pulls together to support and assist our police officers with tips and information also help to keep our community safe and keep the effects of crime at bay, as much as possible.”
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez, agrees, stating that community policing and elected officials supporting the department allow McAllen police officers to work together with community partners and others to keep the “broken windows theory” at bay. The broken windows theory is a criminological theory that states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.
The full report with detailed findings and methodology can be found at: https://www.moneygeek.com/living/safest-cities/
20 Safest Cities in America
City Crime Cost per Capita
1. Arlington, VA $132
2. Thousand Oaks, CA $163
3. Allen, TX $176
4. Cary, NC $185
5. Irvine, CA $194
6. Sterling Heights, MI $222
7. Frisco, TX $237
8. Gilbert, AZ $240
9. Simi Valley, CA $278
10. Edison Township, NJ $279
11. Broken Arrow, OK $304
12. Lakewood Township, NJ $310
13. Santa Clarita, CA $315
14. Bend, OR $318
15. McAllen, TX $318
16. Sunnyvale, CA $326
17. Elk Grove, CA $327
18. Fremont, CA $332
19. Sandy Springs, GA $342
20. Temecula, CA $358
