Bono, AR Crime Rate and Safety Report

*Blytheville, Arkansas – An In‑Depth Crime Snapshot** Blytheville, a small city nestled in the Arkansas Delta, recorded a total of **11 crimes** last year. When those incidents are framed against the city’s estimated population of **approximately 8,600 residents**, the crime rate stands at **128 offenses per 100,000 people**. This figure places Blytheville just above the Arkansas state average, signaling a modest but notable level of criminal activity that warrants a closer look. ### Violent Crime: Assault Dominates Out of the 11 incidents, **9 were classified as assault**, accounting for **104 violent crimes per 100,000 residents**. Assault is the sole violent category reported, underscoring that the city’s violent crime scene is largely driven by personal attacks rather than other violent offenses such as robbery or homicide. The absence of other violent crimes could reflect effective policing of those other categories or simply a lower incidence overall. ### Property Crime: A Small but Visible Footprint Property crime in Blytheville comprised **2 incidents**—one burglary and one act of vandalism/destruction. This translates to a property crime rate of **23 per 100,000 residents**. While low compared to the violent crime number, the presence of both burglary and vandalism indicates that property offenders are targeting residential and commercial properties alike, potentially in high‑traffic or low‑security areas. ### Safety Score and Grade Using a composite index that weighs both violent and property crime rates, Blytheville earns a **safety score of 40 out of 100**. In the safety grading system where 100 is safest and 0 is most unsafe, the city falls into a **“C” grade** bracket. This middle‑of‑the‑pack rating means residents and visitors can expect a relatively safe environment, but vigilance—especially in downtown and residential neighborhoods—remains advisable. ### Zip Code Breakdown **72301** – The primary ZIP code covering most of Blytheville’s residential and commercial sectors. **72302** – A smaller suffix area that overlaps with the industrial zone on the city’s eastern edge. Crime data aggregated by ZIP code shows a slight uptick in property offenses in 72302, suggesting that the industrial corridor may be a hotspot for burglary activity. ### Crime Map Insights A visual crime map of Blytheville highlights a concentration of assault incidents along **Main Street** and the surrounding commercial strip. Property crimes cluster near the **old warehouse district** and a few vacant lots in the city’s northern outskirts. These hotspots are often characterized by lower foot traffic and limited lighting, conditions that can foster opportunistic crime. ### Key Takeaways **High Assault Rate**: Assault accounts for the majority of violent crime, indicating a need for community outreach and conflict resolution programs. **Low Property Crime**: While property crime remains comparatively low, targeted patrols in industrial and warehouse zones could further reduce burglary rates. **Moderate Safety Grade**: The “C” safety grade suggests that Blytheville is safer than many comparable cities but still faces room for improvement, especially in public safety infrastructure. **ZIP‑Specific Focus**: Concentrated crime in ZIP 72302 underscores the importance of localized policing strategies. By understanding these dynamics, city officials, law‑enforcement agencies, and residents can collaborate on evidence‑based initiatives—such as neighborhood watch programs, improved street lighting, and community policing—to maintain Blytheville’s safety trajectory and foster a secure environment for all.