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Editorial
McCook among safest cities, but care still in order
Friday, November 29, 2019
We’re always skeptical of sweeping conclusions based on Nebraska statistics, with our sparse population and low number of examples of any one data point, but some reports are interesting nonetheless.
The Safewise home security site issued a report that indicates McCook is the sixth safest city in the state.
York is No. 1, with 0 reports of violent crime per 1,000 people. See why we’re skeptical?
Madison is No. 2, followed by Milford, Bennington and Valley, then McCook.
The report showed McCook with a medium income of $40,372 per household, 1.07 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 23.87 crimes against property.
Lest we congratulate ourselves too much, it should be noted that Nebraska’s violent and property crime rates are higher than the national rates, 5.43 violent crimes vs. 4.49 nationally, and 34.26 incidents of property crime per 1,000 people vs. 27.11 nationwide.
Still:
-- 80% of the cities had fewer than 10 violent crimes, and each of those reported zero murders.
-- 90% of the cities are below national and state property crime rates.
Ironically, the number one city is the only one that exceeds the national property crime rate at 29.71 incidents versus 27.11 per 1,000 nationally.
York had zero incidents of violent crime but reported 234 property crimes, the bulk of which were larceny-theft (201 incidents, equalling 86% of the total property crimes reported).
Physical assault is the biggest violent crime concern across the state, but 40% of the cities on the list reported zero assaults.
Property crime and digital security tied for the top safety concern in Nebraska, according to Safewise’s State of Safety survey. See the original report here.
Even in rural Nebraska, the rush and confusion of Black Friday shopping offers opportunity for criminals.
A few reminders:
-- Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. If you must leave them in the car, be sure they are out of sight and the doors are locked, even in our small towns.
-- Enlist a neighbor to watch for package delivery, monitor tracking emails or activate your home security camera or electronic doorbell to thwart porch pirates.
-- Keep close track of your credit and debit cards, and extra cautious when making online purchases.