“Hartford CT Listed Among Most Dangerous 100 Cities in the US”
The Nutmeg State hit national attention with no other than its Hartford crime rates. Hartford, CT sitting in the northern half of Connecticut, home to arenas, universities, and many large businesses is also home to violent crimes. Based on crime occurrences, local Hartford crime placed the city as the 2nd most dangerous in Connecticut for both violent and property crimes.
According to BackgroundChecks.org, Hartford was ranked as the 84th safest jurisdiction in the state for 2019, with a safety index of -1.1 (Orange, ranked 1st on the same list, had an index of 0.91). On a national level, Hartford CT earned a spot among “2021 Top 100 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S.”
Crime in Hartford, CT
While some of the recent crime spikes in Hartford may be related to factors including COVID-19 and lack of employment, Hartford streets have been dangerous for quite some time. Shootings are happening a few times per week adding to the Hartford crime spike for violent crimes.
Another reason for Hartford’s high crime can be accredited to having a dense population. The most recent data shares that the chances of becoming a victim of crimes in Hartford is 1 in 116.
Let’s take a closer look at Hartford’s crime statistics for 2018 and 2019.
- Murders: 29 in 2018, 21 in 2019
- Rape cases: 53 in 2018, 45 in 2019
- Robberies: 466 in 2018, 355 in 2019
- Assaults: 804 in 2018, 884 in 2019
- Violent crime rate: 10.71 in 2019
In the categories above, there has been clear progress in decreasing crimes between 2018 and 2019, with the only increase of cases seen in assaults. But Hartford’s crime rate is still extremely high compared with the state’s and nation’s. In 2019, Connecticut recorded a violent crime rate of 2.1, while the nation reported one of 4.3. On the other hand, Hartford’s rests at 10.71, multiple times higher than the states and the country.
Hartford Crime Prevention Efforts
Along with state efforts to decrease crime, the community and city police have created their own ways to help lower crime and the effects of it. In Hartford CT, there are many non-profit organizations to help victims of violence and to create non-violent, drug-free communities.
These groups, such as Hartford Communities that Care, Compass Peacebuilders, and Mothers United Against Violence, have workers that respond to victims of violence 24/7, meeting victims in hospitals and providing therapy for the trauma they’ve experienced. They provide months of management for victims while trying to get ahead of violent situations with community prevention efforts.
Here are local Hartford locations working to prevent crime:
Hartford Communities That Care
Founded in 1998, HCTC achieves its mission by forming partnerships with key community members and organizations,
by coordinating critical services, and by identifying, developing, and implementing evidence-based programs for high rates of success.
Hartford Communities That Care, Inc. (HCTC) is a Hartford-based nonprofit organization committed to creating and supporting non-violent and drug-free communities in which youth and families can thrive.
Compass Youth Collaborative
COMPASS Youth Collaborative connects with high-risk youth wherever they are in the City of Hartford. Their mission is to engage the youth in relationships providing support and opportunities that help them become ready, willing, and able to succeed in education, employment, and life.
Other efforts to reduce Hartford crime in the community include neighborhood watch programs. Sponsored by the Hartford Police Department, these programs are aimed at reducing crime in residential areas as well as all over the city. Groups of citizens keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, acting quickly to decrease frequent crimes in the community.
Although the Hartford crime rate increased in recent years, there has been a steady decline in crime over the past decade in the area. With prevention efforts enacted by the community and city police themselves, progress has been made toward their goal of a safer Hartford for all.
