A recent study conducted by Vivint, a smart-home security company, has identified the top 10 most “unsafe” cities in the United States during the holiday season. The research combined various factors such as property crime data, Google search trends, and other security measures to rank the 50 largest cities in the country based on their crime risk.
According to the study, the cities with the highest “risk scores” were St. Louis, Salt Lake City, and Denver. St. Louis received a risk score of 62.49, making it the most risky city during the holidays. Salt Lake City and Denver followed closely behind with risk scores of 62.46 and 60.20, respectively.
The study analyzed data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), Google Trends searches related to holiday security, security features for Airbnb listings, registered Neighborhood Watch groups, and National Insurance Crime Bureau statistics. These factors provided insights into the unique security challenges faced by different cities.
The research also highlighted individual safety metrics for certain cities. Tacoma, Washington, ranked number one for the most crimes reported during the holidays per 100,000 people. Newark, Delaware, had the highest number of Google searches related to holiday security. Rockville, Maryland, topped the list for having the largest percentage of Airbnb properties without security cameras.
Riverside, California, and St. Louis recorded the most vehicle thefts per 100,000 people based on available data. St. Louis saw a significant increase of 50% in vehicle thefts compared to the previous year. On the other hand, Little Rock, Arkansas, and North Charleston, South Carolina, had the fewest neighborhood watch groups.
The study also revealed that two in five U.S. homeowners have experienced property crime during the past two holiday seasons. Additionally, nearly 50% of Americans who reported crimes during the holidays disclosed losses or damages exceeding $100. The report emphasized that signs of an unoccupied house, such as turned-off lights, piled packages, and an empty driveway, make it more vulnerable to theft.
The cities ranked last for holiday crime risk included Shreveport, Louisiana; Gulfport, Mississippi; Kansas City, Kansas; Oakland, California; North Las Vegas, Nevada; Santa Ana, California; Montgomery, Alabama; Glendale, Arizona; Henderson, Nevada; and Jacksonville, Florida.
The Vivint study serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant during the holiday season and take necessary precautions to protect their homes and belongings.
