While it remains evident that Hawaii has been regarded as one of the safest states in the US; characterized by low violent crime rate, different studies have demonstrated that some time back, this state continued to have one of the highest total crime rates, mainly because of high property crime rates. However, in accordance with recent reports by the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), there has been a considerable decrease in the violent crime rate ever since its early 1990s crest (Pyrooz et al, 2016). Hawaii has in the past years been observed to attract a great number of people wanting to relocate and begin a new life; some of the determinants behind this relocation being high crime rates in their former states and widespread poverty, plus Hawaii’s high concentration of cultural and entertainment attractions, affordable housing and low unemployment.
Generally, Hawaii currently stands as the 38th most dangerous state, when it comes to violent crime such as murder, robbery, rape and aggravated assault. Unlike in many other states in the US, which measure crime rates by city, Hawaii is known to collect its crime data county by county. In a 2016 report, referred as the Crime in Hawaii, which was published by the state Attorney General’s office, it was noted that Honolulu County accounted for a significant 69.8% of the state’s population and approximately the same percentage of crime. Of all the crimes in 2015, property crimes accounted for 92.7% while violent crimes accounted for 7.3% (Pyrooz et al, 2016).
Moreover, of the violent crimes that were reported in 2015, aggravated assault accounted for 49.6%, robbery accounting for 36.8% and rape accounted for 13% while murder accounted only for 0.6% (Pyrooz et al, 2016). The murder rate in the year 2015 was the lowest in the entire state, with only fifteen murder cases reported. Imperatively, property crime rate has been going down almost every year since the 26.1% in 2006. While the city enjoys a low-crime state in regard to violence, of all the index offenses, larceny has remained the only offense that the city has consistently had a higher crime rate compared with the entire nation ever since 1975 (Dillon, 2014). Furthermore, burglary and auto theft rates have sometimes been lower and sometimes higher compared with the national average. The burglary rate of the City and County of Honolulu measured the lowest in Hawaii and even the lowest in the entire nation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Honolulu's Crime Rate
- Description of Honolulu's Crime Prevalence using Crime Theories
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to provide an overview of crime statistics in Honolulu, Hawaii, focusing on the discrepancies between perceived safety and actual crime rates. It explores the reasons behind the high property crime rates and the relatively low violent crime rates, considering various factors and theoretical frameworks.
- Hawaii's crime rates compared to national averages.
- The disproportionate impact of property crime versus violent crime in Honolulu.
- The influence of economic theories and demographic shifts on crime rates.
- The effect of tourism on crime statistics and their accuracy.
- Analysis of specific crime types (e.g., burglary, auto theft, larceny).
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by highlighting the paradoxical nature of Hawaii's crime statistics. While generally perceived as a safe state, Hawaii historically had high overall crime rates due to elevated property crime, despite low violent crime. The introduction mentions a decrease in violent crime since the early 1990s and notes the state's attractiveness as a relocation destination due to factors like lower crime rates and better economic opportunities compared to other locations. This sets the context for a deeper dive into the specifics of Honolulu's crime statistics.
Honolulu's Crime Rate: This chapter presents a detailed analysis of crime statistics in Honolulu County, highlighting its significant contribution (approximately 70%) to Hawaii's overall crime rates. The data for 2015 shows a stark contrast between property crimes (92.7%) and violent crimes (7.3%), with aggravated assault being the most prevalent violent crime. The chapter emphasizes the consistently high larceny rate compared to national averages since 1975, while burglary and auto theft rates fluctuate relative to national trends. Honolulu's exceptionally low burglary rate compared to both Hawaii and national averages is also mentioned, suggesting complexities within the overall crime picture. This detailed breakdown lays the foundation for the following chapter, which explores theoretical explanations for these patterns.
Description of Honolulu's Crime Prevalence using Crime Theories: This chapter delves into theoretical explanations for the observed crime patterns in Honolulu. It explores the application of economic theories of crime, suggesting that improved labor market opportunities reduce the attractiveness of crimes with direct financial motivations like burglary, auto theft, and robbery. The chapter also considers the demographic shift caused by the aging baby boomer population and the increasing number of tourists, which introduce new complexities into the age and race dynamics of crime scenarios. These theoretical frameworks offer potential explanations for the observed data, highlighting the interplay between economic factors, population demographics, and tourist presence in shaping crime patterns in Honolulu. The impact of visitor population on the accuracy of the crime rate is also brought up.
Keywords
Hawaii crime statistics, Honolulu crime rates, property crime, violent crime, economic theories of crime, demographic shifts, tourism, larceny, burglary, auto theft, aggravated assault, crime analysis, data accuracy, 'de facto' population.
Honolulu Crime Statistics: A Comprehensive Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of crime statistics in Honolulu, Hawaii, focusing on the discrepancies between perceived safety and actual crime rates. It analyzes the high property crime rates and relatively low violent crime rates, exploring various contributing factors and theoretical frameworks.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The text includes an introduction, a detailed analysis of Honolulu's crime rate, and an explanation of Honolulu's crime prevalence using various crime theories.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
Key themes include comparing Hawaii's crime rates to national averages, analyzing the disproportionate impact of property versus violent crime, exploring the influence of economic theories and demographic shifts, examining the effect of tourism on crime statistics, and analyzing specific crime types such as burglary, auto theft, and larceny.
What is the main finding regarding Honolulu's crime rates?
Honolulu's crime rate is characterized by a high proportion of property crimes (approximately 92.7% in 2015) compared to violent crimes (7.3%). While violent crime has decreased since the early 1990s, property crime, particularly larceny, remains consistently high compared to national averages.
How does the text explain the high property crime rates in Honolulu?
The text explores economic theories of crime, suggesting that improved labor market opportunities might reduce the attractiveness of financially motivated crimes like burglary and theft. It also considers the influence of demographic shifts (e.g., aging population, increasing tourism) on crime patterns.
What is the impact of tourism on Honolulu's crime statistics?
The text acknowledges the impact of tourism on both the crime rate itself and the accuracy of the reported statistics. The influx of tourists introduces complexities into the age and race dynamics of crime scenarios and may affect the overall data interpretation.
What specific crime types are analyzed in detail?
The analysis includes a detailed examination of larceny, burglary, auto theft, and aggravated assault, comparing their rates to national averages and exploring the reasons behind their prevalence or absence.
What theoretical frameworks are used to analyze Honolulu's crime patterns?
The text applies economic theories of crime to explain the observed patterns. It also considers the impact of demographic changes, including the aging population and the rise in tourism, on crime rates.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the paradoxical nature of Hawaii's crime statistics, highlighting the discrepancy between perception and reality. The chapter on Honolulu's crime rate presents a detailed statistical analysis, while the final chapter offers theoretical explanations for the observed patterns, considering economic and demographic factors.
What keywords are associated with this text?
Keywords include Hawaii crime statistics, Honolulu crime rates, property crime, violent crime, economic theories of crime, demographic shifts, tourism, larceny, burglary, auto theft, aggravated assault, crime analysis, data accuracy, and 'de facto' population.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Mutinda Jackson (Author), 2017, Crime Statistics for Honolulu, Hawaii, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/703270
