What You Need to Know About Crime in Louisiana

Did you know that Louisiana has the second-highest crime rate out of all states in the U.S.? This state's crime rates tend to be far above national averages. However, this concerning statistic might not be quite as grim as you think it is. The reality is that there is a lot of tourism-related crime in certain parts of the state, but other parts are fairly safe. To get a full picture of what crime in Louisiana is like, there are several things you need to know.

How common is crime in Louisiana?

Louisiana has a fairly high crime rate. The state has roughly 155,000 crimes per year even though its population isn't unusually large. Louisiana has a crime rate of 33 per 1,000 residents, and 29 crimes occur per square mile in the state. In comparison, the national crime rate is 23.28 per 1,000 residents. Overall, the state's crime rates are well above national averages in all categories. Unfortunately, this high crime rate doesn't seem likely to slow anytime soon. Research shows that violent crime rates in Louisiana have increased in the past few years.

Cities in Louisiana with unusual crime rates

Louisiana's crime rates vary depending on which city you are in. Here are the safest and most dangerous places in the state.

Louisiana cities with the lowest crime rates

Though Louisiana has a reputation for high crime rates, it does have some fairly safe areas to live in. Some cities are so safe that they even have crime rates that are lower than national averages. The cities in Louisiana with the lowest amounts of crime include:

• Mandeville
• Covington
• Minden
• Gretna
• Abbeville
• De Ridder
• Kenner
• Baker

Louisiana cities with the highest crime rates

A lot of Louisiana's big cities deal with organized crime, theft, and other issues. Especially in New Orleans, tourism-related crimes like prostitution and DUIs are common. However, you shouldn't assume that rural areas are automatically safer. The state also has some very high crime rates in small towns. These are the most dangerous cities in Louisiana:

• Ponchatoula
• Gonzales
• New Orleans
• Bogalusa
• Bastrop
• Marksville
• Hammond
• Monroe
• Alexandria
• Opelousas

Common types of crime in Louisiana

Whether you live in bustling Baton Rouge or small-town Natchitoches, crime comes in many forms. These statistics will help you learn which types of crime Louisiana residents need to look out for.

Violent crime in Louisiana

Louisiana ranks high for violent crime. The state's violent crime rate is 6.81 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 4 per 1,000 residents. Each year, about 800 murders happen in the state. New Orleans is particularly risky since it has the second-highest homicide rate in the nation. Your chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime in Louisiana is 1 in 147.

Property crime in Louisiana

Property crime tends to be the most common crime in Louisiana overall. There are 26.72 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Though some property crimes target tourists (like pickpocketing), many crimes also target Louisiana residents' homes and apartments. People in Louisiana have a much higher-than-average risk of facing things like burglary, theft, and vandalism. You have a 1 in 37 chance of encountering property crime in the state.

Vehicle theft in Louisiana

Louisiana has 12,830 motor vehicle thefts each year. Car theft is particularly bad in larger cities. Some law enforcement members believe that the high rate of motor vehicle theft is due to organized crime. Motor vehicle theft is so high that, in some parts of the state, someone steals a car every hour. Hyundai and Kia cars are the most stolen vehicle types. Few stolen cars are recovered by police.

Explore the perks of an automated Louisiana home security system

Whether you live in a part of Louisiana with a lot of crime or not, a home security system is still a smart choice. Automated systems like Vivint provide homeowners with these helpful advantages:

• Crime prevention: Since home security systems make it harder for criminals to get away with crime, they'll often avoid homes with a robust security system. Details like security alarms and flashing lights also make a criminal's job much harder for them.
• Assistance during crimes: If a crime does happen, your home security system can help you stay as safe as possible. With 24/7 monitoring, a Vivint system will let you know about break-ins, alert you to potential dangers through the Smart Hub or Vivint app, and contact emergency services for you so you can focus on staying safe.
• Property recovery: A good home security system makes it far easier for police to catch criminals. The details captured from your home security cameras can help you recover stolen items and may be able to be used by police.
• Convenience: Vivint makes home security easy. Not only do we handle the installation for you, but our products all sync and work together. With just a single app on your smartphone, you can easily control all your products and check up on your entire house from anywhere.
• Home automation: Don't forget that a home system can do more than just reduce crime-related risks. All the automation of a Vivint system also simplifies your daily life. You can do everything from automating your thermostat temperature to locking your front door remotely.

Vivint helps Louisiana residents stay safe

Ultimately, Louisiana's crime rates don't have to make you nervous. With the right protection, you can lower your chance of becoming a victim of crime. Vivint is dedicated to helping our customers stay as safe as possible. We help you choose the right security system for your home, install everything for you, and then monitor your system for any potential crimes. When you choose Vivint, you get the peace of mind you need to relax in your home.

Interested in hearing more about how Vivint's security and home automation systems work? Contact our team today at 855.822.1220.