Is Crime in Oklahoma Something You Should Worry About?

The crime rate in Oklahoma is slightly higher than the national average, but it used to be a lot higher. Figures from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reveal that the number of index crimes reported to law enforcement agencies in the Sooner State—the offenses officials use to calculate state and national crime rates— fell by 5.2% in 2019 and 2.5% in 2020. If this trend continues, by these metrics Oklahoma could soon be considered one of the safest states in the country.

Police departments in Oklahoma have done an especially good job of solving and preventing property crimes in recent years. The number of burglaries reported in the Sooner State has fallen by an impressive 34.7% since 2011, but motor vehicle theft rates remain high. Oklahoma residents reported an average of 11,914 automobile thefts per year between 2011 and 2020, and the number of cars stolen in the state has risen by about 13% since 2019.

Based on the latest data available, Oklahoma residents have a 1 in 226 chance of being the victim of a violent crime and a 1 in 38 chance of being a property crime victim. While property crime rates have fallen sharply in Oklahoma in the last decade or so, burglaries still account for 22.8% of all non-violent crime in the state. The figures reveal that Oklahoma is a safe place to live and becoming safer, but they also suggest that it would be wise to take precautions to protect your home and car if you decide to move there.

Oklahoma crime rates in major cities

Crime in Oklahoma is far more common in large metropolitan centers than it is in rural areas. Burglaries are particularly common in big cities, which is a problem for homeowners because only 8.9% of these crimes are solved in the Sooner State. To get a better understanding of how safe or dangerous Oklahoma cities are, let’s take a look at the crime rates in the state’s three largest urban centers.

The crime rate in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City is the Sooner State’s most populous city, and it has one of the highest crime rates in the state. However, Oklahoma City is no more dangerous than most other similar-sized cities in the United States, and it is actually safer than many of them. There were 4,323 violent crimes and 25,702 property crimes reported in Oklahoma City in 2021, which means the city’s residents have a 1 in 159 chance of becoming a violent crime victim and a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a property crime victim.

The crime rate in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa has a lower violent crime rate than most other similar-sized cities, but property crimes like burglary and car theft are quite common in Tulsa, the city that residents affectionately call T-Town. Tulsa residents have a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a property crime victim, which is almost double the 1 in 38 chance state average. In 2021, the Tulsa Police Department investigated 4,475 violent crimes and 20,212 property crimes. These figures are not considered extreme for a city with a population of about 412,000 people.

The crime rate in Norman, Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s third-most populous city is home to about 130,000 people. Only 406 violent crimes and 4,001 property crimes were reported in Norman in 2021, which means the city’s violent crime rate is actually lower than the state average. If you decide to settle down in Norman, you will have a 1 in 316 chance of becoming a violent crime victim and a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a property crime victim.

Motor vehicle theft in Oklahoma

Violent and property crime rates are falling in Oklahoma, but car thefts are on the rise. Sooner State residents reported 14,903 motor vehicles stolen in 2021, which is about the same number of car thefts reported in 2020. 12,980 stolen motor vehicles were recovered in in 2020 and 8,164 stolen cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles were found in 2021.

The benefits of installing a home and vehicle security system in Oklahoma

If you decide to settle down in Oklahoma, you may be looking for a town or city with good schools and a low crime rate. Buying a home in a safe area will lower your chances of becoming a victim of property crime, and so will installing state-of-the-art security systems in your home and car that safeguard your property and deter criminals. If you decide to protect your most valuable assets with Vivint, you will enjoy benefits including:

• Peace of mind: If you live in an area with higher crime rates like Oklahoma City, a sophisticated home security system could decrease your chances of becoming a target and increase your peace of mind. Each security device from Vivint works together seamlessly to protect your home and prevent crime, and with 24/7 monitoring you can rest easy knowing your home is cared for around-the-clock by experienced professionals.
• Package protection: Package theft is becoming a serious problem in Oklahoma and around the country, but the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro can decrease your likelihood of becoming a victim. The Doorbell Camera Pro can detect packages and alert you whenever one is dropped off at your doorstep. And the Doorbell Camera Pro uses bright lights and loud speakers to scare away lurkers and thieves.
• Greater control: You won’t have to keep track of keys with Vivint Smart Locks. Lock and unlock your doors from anywhere using the Vivint app, and know who is coming and going at your home with unique access codes. Smart Locks from Vivint let you know when the people you give access codes to lock and unlock your doors.
• Remote access: Every home security package from Vivint features technology that you can control from a central hub or by using the Vivint app. This means that if you protect your home with Vivint, you will be able to monitor it remotely from anywhere in the world.
• Protection from fires and toxic gasses: Fires destroy tens of thousands of homes each year, and carbon monoxide can be deadly if left undetected. Vivint’s safety alarms protect you and your loved ones from these threats, and they can also disable your HVAC system automatically to stop a fire from spreading.

Protect your home, car, and loved ones with Vivint

Vivint protects homes and families across the United States with the latest technology and a team of dedicated support professionals that are available to help you 24/7. To learn more about what Vivint can do for you and your loved ones, contact us today at 855.822.1220 to schedule a free consultation.