Nebraska is known for its Midwest hospitality and scenic landscapes. However, crime is still a concern for many of its residents. Fortunately, this state is one of the safest in the United States. The rate of crime in Nebraska is 34.60 per 1,000 residents. It has a lower crime rate than the national average. Despite the low crime rate, Nebraska residents are not immune to criminal acts.
Crime rates tend to be high in more populated areas of the state. When there is a higher concentration of people, there are more opportunities for criminal actions. According to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, there were 20,469 property crimes reported in 2022, which is a 2.82% increase from the previous year.
Violent crimes are also a concern in Nebraska. Residents in Nebraska have a 1 in 315 chance of becoming a victim of robbery, aggravated assault, or murder. While some of these statistics may be alarming, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself and your property.
Crime in Omaha and Lincoln
Bigger cities like Omaha and Lincoln have higher crime rates than rural areas. Given the crime rate in Omaha, Nebraska, you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a property crime victim. The Lincoln, Nebraska, crime rate is also 1 in 36. Higher populated areas have higher crime rates, especially theft and burglary.
There are several classifications of theft in Nebraska. Petty theft is a Class II misdemeanor where stolen items have a value of less than $500. These crimes can be devastating for the victims.
Grand theft involves larger valued items and may have a major impact on the victims. In Nebraska, burglary was down 6.77% in 2022 versus 2021. However, motor vehicle theft and theft increased by 14.28% and 2.81%.
Vehicle theft in Nebraska
Another concerning issue for Nebraska residents is vehicle theft. In Omaha, there has been an increase in motor vehicle thefts. Since January 2023, the Omaha Police Department has responded to 475 incidents. Year to date, that’s a 90% increase from the previous year.
Lincoln, another major city in Nebraska has a motor theft rate of 1.56 per 1,000 vehicles. That works out to about 400 stolen vehicles per year.