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Understanding crime trends in local communities is not merely interesting and helpful; it helps to safeguard and protect communities while empowering local individuals with crucial knowledge. An Atlanta, Georgia criminal defense lawyer is available to provide legal defense and insight into local laws when community members are charged with crimes.

How Crime Statistics Are Gathered

Police departments, sheriff’s offices, campus police, and other law enforcement agencies log and compile all local crime to determine a crime index for each county. Counties are compiled into Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) by geographical region to gather cohesive statistical data. These statistics show that, in Georgia, once every 14 minutes and 19 seconds, a violent crime occurs, and once every three minutes and 10 seconds, a non-violent crime occurs.

Georgia Cities and Counties With the Highest Crime Rates

In Georgia, the MSA with the highest crime index is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, which covers the Atlanta metro area. Other cities within the MSA include Roswell, Marietta, Mableton, and Loganville, among others. This MSA is responsible for 61.4% of total crime in the state, and the majority of these crimes fall under larceny and theft. The most dangerous city within Georgia and the MSA is College Park.

The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta MSA includes many different cities and counties, and not all are dangerous. While Heard County has one of the lowest crime indexes, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett are among those with the highest.

The next city with the second highest crime index is Macon. The Macon-Bibb MSA holds 4.4% of total crime in the state and includes the following counties: Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Monroe, and Twiggs. The majority of crimes in this MSA are also larceny and theft-related.

Cities and Counties With the Lowest Crime Rates in Georgia

The city with the lowest crime index is Hinesville. The Hinesville MSA includes Liberty and Long counties and contributes to 0.6% of total crime in the state of Georgia. The majority of crimes in this MSA relate to larceny and theft. The population of Hinesville is approximately 6,124,916 people smaller than the highest crime MSA, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, which is important to keep in mind when looking into crime statistics.

The city of Brunswick is tied with the Chattanooga area for the second lowest crime rates, with both MSAs holding 0.9% of total crime in the state of Georgia. The Brunswick MSA includes the Brantley, Glynn, and McIntosh counties, and the Chattanooga MSA includes the Catoosa and Walker Counties. The most common crime activities of both MSAs are within the category of larceny and theft.

Determining a City’s Safety

Considering a city’s safety involves a combination of objective data, context, and subjective perceptions. It is important to remember that no single measure can fully capture the complexities of a city and its safety. However, you can research the safety of an area by looking into crime maps, community reports and surveys, government reports, and quality-of-life indexes.

Georgia Property Crimes

Property crimes are common in the state of Georgia. Property crimes can include theft, burglary, robbery, vandalism, fraud, and arson. In Georgia, there is a growing number of vehicle break-ins, largely due to vehicles being left unlocked by their owners. There are simple initiatives you can take to reduce your chances of being targeted for such crimes.

It may seem too simple, but taking time to ensure all doors on your property and vehicles are locked is a helpful and smart way to protect yourself from harm and crime. The use of electronic doorbells with cameras can often steer away individuals looking to steal packages or enter a property. If you have concerns for your safety, speak to local law enforcement for advice and protection. Additionally, consider seeking legal support from an Atlanta property crime lawyer.

FAQs

Q: Which City Has the Highest Crime Rate in Georgia?

A: The city with the highest crime rate in Georgia is College Park, a suburb of Atlanta located just south of the city. The crime rate statistics show that College Park is 500% more dangerous than the state average in Georgia. The majority of incidents were property crimes, with violent crimes averaging much less.

Q: Where Is Georgia Ranked in Crime?

A: In terms of crime, Georgia is ranked in the middle when compared to the rest of the United States. While Georgia is not the safest state in the US, it is also not the most dangerous. Georgia cities vary greatly in terms of crime rates. While the city with the highest crime rate is College Park, one of Georgia’s safest cities is Johns Creek.

Q: What Is the Safest City in Georgia?

A: Holly Springs is considered the safest city in Georgia. Holly Springs is north of Atlanta, with a suburban environment that offers safe neighborhoods but also proximity to urban amenities and resources. The city’s crime rate is 91% lower than the national average, not only making it Georgia’s safest city but also one of the safest cities in the country as a whole. However, it is located in the MSA with the highest crime index in the state.

Q: What City Is Leading in Murders?

A: Atlanta is the city with the leading number of homicides in the state of Georgia. In the past year of 2023, 135 homicides were reported, whereas in the previous year, 2022, 171 homicides were reported. These statistics demonstrate a positive trajectory in the city of Atlanta, although it is still leading in homicide numbers throughout the state.

Contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing legal challenges can be intimidating, but with the support of a dedicated and experienced criminal defense lawyer, you won’t need to do so alone. The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman offers an unwavering commitment to protecting your rights and advocating on your behalf. Our attorney has a thorough understanding of local Georgia laws and is equipped to support you in your legal matter.

Contact The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman and schedule a consultation today. Our experienced criminal defense lawyer is ready to listen to your story and build a strategic defense on your behalf.