Over the past 20 years crime in Eunice has been on decline, according to a statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
In nearly every category in the online Crime Data Explorer the numbers are down for Eunice crime.
And Eunice is not alone in experiencing a decline in crime.
Crime statistics for five area cities — Eunice, Crowley, Rayne, Jennings and Opelousas — show only Crowley and Opelousas with numbers on the increase.
The FBI site offers searches for several categories. This report looked at violent crimes, robbery, property crime, motor vehicle theft, larceny theft, homicide, burglary and aggravated assault.
The FBI site also presents statistics for arson and rape, but in both of those areas are issues. Arson is investigated by the state Fire Marshal and there was a change in definition for rape cases that may have been confusing in comparing information over the years.
Eunice statistics were viewed for 1998, 2008 and 2018. Statistics for other cities were viewed for 2008 to 2018 except for Opelousas. Statistics for Opelousas are from 2010 to 2018.
In Eunice, the larceny-theft count remained steady from 1998 to 2018. Larceny-theft is defined as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.
In 1998, there were 377 cases of larceny-theft reported in Eunice and 124 cases were cleared. Cleared cases could be previous years. In 2008, the larceny-theft cases rose to 391 reported and 185 cases, but dropped back down to 377 reported cases and 102 cases cleared in 2018. The highest number of larceny-theft cases occurred in 2000 with 717 cases reported and 147 clears. The lowest number occurred in 2003 with 281 reported cases and 129 cases cleared.
Homicide is another area where there is slight change over the years. In 1998, there were two cases reported and one cleared, In 2008, there seven cases reported and six cleared. In 2018, there two cases reported and one case cleared.
The seven homicides reported in 2008 is the highest number in the 20-year period.
There were no homicides reported in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005; 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016.
On the decline over the 20 years were violent crimes, robbery, property crime, motor vehicle theft, burglary and aggravated assault.
Eunice’s population remained fairly stable over the period: 11,302 in 1998; 11,473 in 2008; and 10,073 in 2018.
The slight population decline is reflected in the other four cities where crime statistics were compared.
Crowley: 13,888 in 1998; 13,958 in 2008; and 12,779 in 2008.
Rayne: 8,610 in 1998; 8,523 in 2008; and 8,184 in 2018.
Jennings: 11,508 in 1998; 10,496 in 2008; and 9,949 in 2018.
Opelousas: 19,325 in 1998; 16,634 in 2010; and 16,262 in 2018.
The population figures are derived from the Census.
The FBI website explains:
“The data found on the Crime Data Explorer represents reported crime, and is not an exhaustive report of all crime that occurs. It’s important to consider the various factors that lead to crime activity and crime reporting in a community before interpreting the data. Without these considerations the available data can be deceiving. Factors to consider include population size and density, economic conditions, employment rates, prosecutorial, judicial, and correctional policies, administrative and investigative emphases of law enforcement, citizens’ attitudes toward crime and policing, and the effective strength of the police force.
“Since crime is a sociological phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, the FBI discourages ranking locations or making comparisons as a way of measuring law enforcement effectiveness. Some of this data may not be comparable to previous years because of differing levels of participation over time.”
The sites states: “Violent crime is composed of four offenses: homicide (murder and nonnegligent manslaughter), rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crimes involve force or threat of force.”
Eunice
Violent crimes
1998 — 104 reported, 62 cleared.
2008 — 70 reported, 41 cleared.
2018 — 44 reported, 16 cleared.
Highest — 1999 – 342 reported; 173 cleared.
Lowest — 2004 – 18 reported; 10 cleared.
Robbery
1998 — 13 reported; 7 cleared.
2008 — 12 reported; 1 cleared.
2018 — 11 reported; 4 cleared.
Highest — 2001 – 19 reported; 9 cleared.
Lowest — 2009 – 5 reported; 3 cleared.
Property crime
1998 — 656 reported; 164 cleared.
2008 — 554 reported; 219 cleared.
2018 — 487 reported; 120 cleared.
Highest — 2005 – 918 reported; 264 cleared.
1999 — 1,085 reported; 318 cleared.
Lowest — 2018.
Motor vehicle theft
1998 — 39 reported; 10 cleared
2008 — 24 reported; 8 cleared
2018 — 15 reported; 5 cleared
Highest — 2003 – 53 reported; 25 cleared.
Lowest — 2012 – 14 reported; 3 cleared
Larceny theft
1998 — 377 reported; 124 cleared
2008 — 391 reported; 185 cleared
2018 — 377 reported; 102 cleared
Highest — 2000 – 717 reported; 147 cleared
Lowest — 2003 – 281 reported; 129 cleared
Homicide
1998 — 2 reported; 1 cleared
2008 — 7 reported; 6 cleared
2018 — 2 reported; 1 cleared
Highest — 2008 – 7 reported; 6 cleared
Lowest — Several years with 0 – 1999; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2005; 2007; 2010; 2013; 2016;
Burglary
1998 — 240 reported; 30 cleared
2008 — 139 reported; 26 cleared
2018 — 95 reported; 13 cleared
Highest — 2005 – 329 reported; 27 cleared
Lowest — 2017 – 91 reported; 15 cleared
Aggravated assault
1998 — 86 reported; 52 cleared
2008 — 51 reported; 34 cleared
2018 — 28 reported; 10 cleared
Highest — 1999 – 327 reported; 168 cleared
Lowest — 2004 – 10 reported; 7 cleared
Crowley
Violent crime
2008 — 80 reported; 32 cleared
2018 — 228 reported; 81 cleared
Robbery
2008 — 11 reported; 2 cleared
2018 — 15 reported
4 cleared
Property crime
2008 — 472 reported; 100 cleared
2018 — 916 reported; 99 cleared.
Vehicle theft
2008 — 20 reported; 1 cleared.
2018 — 42 reported; 7 cleared.
Larceny theft
2008 — 300 reported; 85 cleared.
2018 — 640 reported; 54 cleared.
Homicide
2008 — 1 reported; 0 cleared.
2018 — 5 reported; 4 cleared.
Burglary
2008 — 152 reported; 14 cleared.
2018 — 234 reported; 38 cleared.
Aggravated assault
2008 — 65 reported; 30 cleared.
2018 — 199 reported; 70 cleared.
Jennings
Violent crimes
2008 — 60 reported; 31 cleared.
2018 — 19 reported; 5 cleared.
Robbery
2008 — 6 reported; 1 cleared.
2018 — 1 reported; 0 cleared.
Property crime
2008 — 322 reported; 109 cleared.
2018 — 187 reported; 12 cleared.
Motor vehicle thefts
2008 — 14 reported; 3 cleared.
2018 — 0 reported; 0 cleared.
Larceny theft
2008 — 230 reported; 92 cleared.
2018 — 169 reported; 11 cleared.
Homicide
2008 — 3 reported; 1 cleared.
2018 — 0 reported; 0 cleared.
Burglary
2008 — 78 reported; 14 cleared.
2018 — 18 reported; 1 cleared.
Aggravated assault
2008 — 46 reported; 28 cleared.
2018 — 17 reported; 5 cleared.
Rayne
Violent crime
2008 — 99 reported; 46 cleared.
2018 — 21 reported; 9 cleared.
Robbery
2008 — 8 reported; 6 cleared.
2018 — 3 reported; 2 cleared.
Property crime
2008 — 363 reported; 124 cleared.
2018 — 196 reported; 27 cleared.
Motor vehicle theft
2008 — 17 reported; 8 cleared.
2018 — 3 reported; 2 cleared.
Larceny theft
2008 — 299 reported; 104 cleared.
2018 — 170 reported; 23 cleared.
Homicide
2008 — 1 reported; 1 cleared.
2018 — 0 reported; 0 cleared.
Burglary
2008 — 47 reported; 12 cleared.
2018 — 23 reported; 2 cleared.
Aggravated assault
2008 — 88 reported; 37 cleared.
2018 — 18 reported; 7 cleared.
Opelousas
Violent crime
2008 — 248 reported; 112 cleared.
2018 — 348 reported; 196 cleared.
Robbery
2010 — 41 reported; 8 cleared.
2018 — 54 reported; 26 cleared.
Property crime
2010 — 1,364 reported; 418 cleared.
2018 — 1,180 reported; 321 cleared.
Motor vehicle theft
2010 — 63 reported; 9 cleared.
2018 — 54 reported; 15 cleared.
Larceny theft
2010 — 931 reported; 338 cleared.
2018 — 747 reported; 258 cleared.
Homicide
2010 — 6 reported; 5 cleared.
2018 — 9 reported; 6 cleared.
Burglary
2010 — 370 reported; 71 cleared.
2018 — 379 reported; 48 cleared.
Aggravated assault
2010 — 186 reported; 92 cleared.
2018 — 267 reported; 158 cleared.