Queen Creek Sees 7% Increase in Crime Rate, Driven by Assaults and Thefts
Queen Creek, Arizona — The crime rate in Queen Creek has surged by 7% in the past year, highlighting a concerning rise in simple assaults and petty theft. The data, reported to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, indicates that the total number of crimes in the area reached 1,329, marking it as the second highest increase in the East Valley, trailing only behind Gilbert’s notable 9%. Fortunately, there were no reported homicides during this period.
Crime Breakdown
The uptick in offenses is primarily attributed to an alarming rise in simple assaults, with the Queen Creek Police Department recording 1,046 arrests in 2023. This represents a significant 66.83% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, simple assaults constituted nearly two-thirds of these arrests, while aggravated assaults—a category often linked to serious injuries—accounted for 16% of cases.
With a total of 101 violent crimes reported, Queen Creek’s violent crime levels remained relatively low, consistent with previous years. The police achieved a clearance rate of 69.31% for violent crimes, indicating that most cases were resolved through arrests or other exceptional means.
Demographics and Trends
Most victims of violent crimes were aged between 10 and 17, while white individuals made up a significant portion of both victims and suspects. Data show that 43.7% of aggravated assaults involved physical altercations, with 23% involving firearms. Additionally, relationships between assailants and victims varied, with a notable number occurring among acquaintances and intimate partners.
Robberies also saw a decline, with only three cases logged last year—a 50% drop from the year prior. While two of the incidents involved bodily force, only one resulted in minor injuries.
Decline in Property Crimes
Conversely, property crimes exhibited a more positive trend, with burglaries dropping by nearly 40% and motor vehicle thefts decreasing by 29%. However, police managed to clear only about 12.77% of burglary cases, as many did not involve forced entry.
Fraud incidents also spiked, with the department investigating 289 cases, mostly attributed to identity theft and other swindling schemes.
Future Measures
As local authorities assess these shifts in crime patterns, they are expected to intensify community outreach and reinforce preventive measures aimed at addressing the root causes of the increases in assaults and thefts.
This report underscores the complexities surrounding crime trends in Queen Creek, a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and community leaders alike.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.