Oklahoma has a larger area of blank space and wild west cowboys alongside the hospitality of the deep South. Essentially, every state possesses some territories that are considered dangerous, including the Sooner State. The violent crime rate in the whole of Oklahoma is still comparatively low, at 297 incidents per 100,000 residents, but certain cities are more vulnerable to violence than others.
So, if you are thinking of relocating or visiting Oklahoma, it is essential to learn about the various cities and metropolitan areas’ levels of crime. In this section, we explore the areas in Oklahoma that are considered the most unsafe and that you need to be wary of.
Understanding the Top Causes of Danger in Cities of Oklahoma
To know our most threatened cities in Oklahoma we amped the latest FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. It presents statistics in terms of the violent crime index which consists of homicide, rape, robbery, and assault, and the property index which comprises burglary, larceny, and carjacking.
Hypothesis one appears to hold some water because poverty levels, densely populated living, little or no community involvement, and closeness to big cities seem to be associated with high crime levels in certain Oklahoma cities. There is also economic unrest and inadequate educational and social facilities contributing to the problem.
5 Extremely Dangerous Cities in Oklahoma
1. Shawnee
Shawnee, a city situated just in the eastern part of Oklahoma and near Oklahoma City, tops the list of most dangerous cities in the state. This is a town of 31 000 residents They commit violent crimes at a rate of 1113 per 100,000 residents and property crimes at 7919 per 100000 residents.
Here, it appears that the primary cause of criminality is gang-related activity, especially across the eastern part of the city. Another problem is that methamphetamine use and drug abuse in general is still a significant issue. Political authorities and the police have been attempting to upgrade security by creating neighborhood watches.
2. Chickasha
The city claims to have the second highest violent crime rate in Oklahoma with a rate of 1032 violent crimes per 100000 individuals. Located in the western part of the state near the junction of Interstate 44, this city has a population of over 16 thousand; in terms of the level of criminal activity, including aggravated assault, rape, and homicide, it occupies one of the leading positions in Oklahoma.
As would be expected in many high-crime cities, poverty, race, chemical dependency, and minimal to no youth services are partially to blame. Community leaders are optimistic that an increase in the availability of jobs in the town or better investment in crime prevention may be the answer.
3. Sand Springs
The third one is a suburb of Tulsa referred to as Sand Springs with violent crimes per 100,000 estimated at approximately 974. The town has a population of over twenty thousand people and they have regular cases of violence and other related cases of violence such as assault, rape, and domestic violence. Meth and prescription painkiller abuse are also problems and they have their ways of causing violent tendencies.
To fight against crimes, Sand Springs has formed a working relationship with federal and state agencies that pursue offenders with guns and drugs. The police department has also been awarded grants in a bid to help them purchase improved equipment and recruit more people in the force. Other community-based activities that may help to enhance safety include citizen police relations activities such as neighborhood policing.
4. Sapulpa
Sitting in fourth position is Sapulpa, a suburb of Tulsa, which records 848 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents annually. Located in the city on the famous Route 66, Sapulpa experiences its portion of criminal activity inclusive of assaults, rapes, robberies, and theft, and especially carjackings and break-ins. Some of the root causes of criminal activities are socially related problems similar to other highly crime-prone regions.
As an outcome, the Sapulpa police department has intensified its efforts in community policing. They manage and patrol areas where crimes are likely to occur, attend meetings in the community and take their time to be positive role models in the lives of youths. New recreational activities and youth clubs might also reduce crime among youths and provide them with constructive activities.
5. Ada
The next five critical locations in Oklahoma include Ada, which is home to East Central University. This small town, situated in the south of Oklahoma and effectively a college town around ninety minutes from Oklahoma City has an average of 819 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Physical attacks, which include assault, rape, and aggravated attack, are the most common incidents.
Ada took money from a sales tax initiative to increase its police force, which should assist in preventing more crime in the future. Leaders in the community are also focusing on programs that will ensure that youths do not get into trouble with the law through mentoring, sporting activities, and education among others.
Safest Places in Oklahoma
In the same respect, there are several of the safest cities and towns in Oklahoma including Altus, Bixby, Duncan, Weatherford, Guthrie, and Miami, and they all record below 300 violent crime rates per one hundred thousand residents. The communities prefer to have stable economic situations, lots of community involvement, active church organizations, and good policing.
For those who are planning to start a family in the Sooner State or those who seek safety and order in the country, avoiding the mentioned above most dangerous places and opting for small towns with active citizens might be helpful. Familiarizing oneself with crime statistics and trends can benefit the people of Oklahoma in decision-making on matters concerning the kind of environment they intend to live, work, or even the areas to avoid when traveling within the Southern state.
