FBI says Maine the safest (Portland, Calais: crime, Home Depot, buy)

[Petertherock]

OK here are some stats...

Portland Maine...(pop. 64,249)

City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 280.8)

2000- 326.6 Murders: 0
2001- 313.4 Murders: 1
2002- 357.4 Murders: 3
2003- 371.5 Murders: 1
2004- 353.9 Murders: 2
2005- 365.0 Murders: 3
2006- 404.8 Murders: 3

Boca Raton, FL- (pop. 74,764)

City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 323.2)

1999- 290.8 Murders: 3
2000- 279.2 Murders: 1
2001- 257.0 Murders: 1
2002- 242.7 Murders: 2
2003- 221.1 Murders: 1
2004- 280.0 Murders: 2
2005- 252.1 Murders: 0
2006- 237.6 Murders: 3

Largo, Florida- (pop. 69,371)

City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 323.2)

1999- 345.5 Murders- 4
2000- 291.6 Murders- 2
2001- 296.2 Murders- 1
2002- 296.0 Murders- 3
2003- 323.5 Murders- 4
2004- 346.5 Murders- 2
2005- 307.8 Murders- 4
2006- 337.7 Murders- 2

So both cities in Florida have more population than Portland but lower crime. Boca is a wealthy area but Largo is one of the cheapest areas at least according to the CD data. Here are the housing cost stats and income stats for Largo...

Estimated median household income in 2005: $36,613 (it was $32,217 in 2000)
Largo $36,613
Florida: $42,433

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $117,100 (it was $88,800 in 2000)
Largo $117,100
Florida: $189,500


And this is Portland...
Estimated median household income in 2005: $40,500 (it was $35,650 in 2000)
Portland $40,500
Maine: $42,801

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $216,400 (it was $121,200 in 2000)
Portland $216,400
Maine: $155,300

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

The reason there is low crime in New England is because 9 months of the year the weather isn't fit for man or beast. Not even the criminals want to go out in the snow and sub zero weather. Not to mention in the snow it's a lot easy to track the criminals so they get caught.

In the warmer climates it's easier to commit crimes because it's comfortable all year round. Plus, stats are very deceiving. I have found different towns in Florida that have a lot lower crime rate than towns in Maine have and there are of course lots of places in Florida that I wouldn't walk down in the middle of the daytime if I had an M16 and an army with me. But the same could be said in certain areas of Portland and Lewiston too.

Peter with all due respect, I find this entire post ridiculous.
Weather a deterrant to criminal activity due to tracking ability?
More crime down here due to warmer climate? Please, the crime down here is rampant due to poverty, illegal drugs and illegal aliens.
I'd be interested in hearing of ANY town down here with a lower crime rate than any town in Maine. You really need to spend a little more time down here before making that statement. BTW- a weeks vacation on the beach down here does not constitute 'spending time down here'.

An M16 needed to walk though certain areas of Portland and Lewiston? I haven't been gone that long my friend.

[Bydand]

OK, lets run with this same vein of "proof" that Portland is worse that Hell itself for crime, and use the number of murders for an indicating factor.

Portland Maine...(pop. 64,249)

City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 280.8)

2000- 326.6 Murders: 0
2001- 313.4 Murders: 1
2002- 357.4 Murders: 3
2003- 371.5 Murders: 1
2004- 353.9 Murders: 2
2005- 365.0 Murders: 3
2006- 404.8 Murders: 3

Boynton Beach, FL- (pop. 68,248) (Bit closer to Portland size)

City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 323.2)

1999- 655.6 Murders: 4
2000- 589.2 Murders: 1
2001- 585.0 Murders: 3
2002- 608.7 Murders: 2
2003- 614.6 Murders: 1
2004- 586.3 Murders: 6
2005- 434.3 Murders: 1
2006- 504.2 Murders: 9

Daytona Beach, Florida- (pop. 64,183)

City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 323.2)

1999- 906.0 Murders- 8
2000- 934.4 Murders- 10
2001- 909.9 Murders- 8
2002- 961.4 Murders- 15
2003- 1021.4 Murders- 5
2004- 969.5 Murders- 5
2005- 861.7 Murders- 8
2006- 807.7 Murders- 4

So it looks like Portland really isn't too bad when compared to other towns the same or similar sized in the area you chose to compare to. I don't know why they list the average crime index numbers as different between the charts.



Estimated median household income in 2005:
Portland: $40,500
Boyington Beach: $39,216
Daytona Beach: $27,800


Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: with percentage of average income the average house value is
Portland: $216,400 (534.32%)
Boyington Beach: $215,300 (549.01%)
Daytona Beach: $145,600 (523.74%)

Housing isn't out of line with the averages in other places that are making about the same amount, and looks to be about the same in relation to average price to average income. So all in all Portland looks to be a winner when it comes to crime, income, and housing costs.

Thanks Peter for bringing this to light. You just needed to look at cities a bit closer to Portlands size.

All this goes to show is that you can find facts and figures to support your stand, no matter what it is. I could make any city look like it is the gatepost to hell or the gatepost to Heaven, it all depends on how much time and effort you are willing to go to in order to "prove" a point. If somebody is unhappy in an area, leave; if your happy, stay; don't try to change each others mind because it isn't going to happen.

Petertherock, you hate Portland - leave. Griping about it and how crappy of an area it is isn't going to change anybodies mind, and is just going to make your outlook even more dismal.

[Bydand]

Looking at those numbers made me want to look up Washburn. What a crime riddled hole. LOL

I can't go back to 1999 because the data starts in 2001, but for your enjoyment, here is "my" town

Washburn, Maine population 1627 in 2000, est 1618 for 2006

this will be year: Crime index: Murders are NA because we haven't had any, in any year.

2001: 91.4
2002: 96.2
2003: 81.4
2004: 90.9
2005: 179
2004: 115.6

Our biggest numbers come from burglery which was an all time high in 2005 with 18. couple that with 21 (also all time high) thefts and our crime rate made a huge jump .

Our figures for 2006:
Murders: 0
Rapes: 0
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 0
Burglaries: 17
thefts: 17
Auto thefts:0
Arson: 0



Wild place huh? Other than the two-bit thefts once in a while, pretty quiet. What does that work out to now, our highest incident of crime happened at a rate of once every 21 days last year. Wow, and I let my children outside to play, sobering isn't it.

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

I haven't talked to one person here in Maine who is happy with the snow and cold. In fact almost everyone I have talked to at work have said it's time to move south.

That's funny. You must be blind AND deaf!! You have participated (and I use that term lightly) in this forum for how long and you haven't talked with anyone who likes the snow and cold? There is actually only one person on the forum that I know of who is planning a move south and that is due to health reasons, if I remember correctly.

You need to start reading and quit rambling!

[Cornerguy1]

Come on now, folks, we all know the drill.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so we need to stick to civilly discussing ideas rather than personalities.

Thanks.

[lovemaine]

I for one love the cold! We moved to NC almost 2 years ago. Granted, it isn't as tropical here as Florida, but it's still too much warm weather for my taste. So, one vote for cold weather from me!

[Petertherock]

To say I hate Portland is an exaggeration in itself. I love Portland in the 2 months we actually have some summer weather. There is nothing more beautiful than the Portland Head Light and I have to say I love going there in some good nor 'Easters. Of course lately they have been closing the park when the storms happen which is a drag.

Another thing I noticed about Portland is why would any place in the northeast in the 21st century still have cobblestone streets? They were shooting footage from the old port and the streets were snow covered like they have been for a week now. They said they can't properly clear the streets because of the cobblestone. Not to mention they are just plain out running out of room to put the tons of snow we have got.

Another thing I will say is the cities and towns are already moaning and groaning about the cost of salt and snow removal and this is after 2 years where they used hardly any of the snow removal budget. If these idiots in charge of the budgets in these towns and cities can't figure out when you have mild winters you bank the money for years when we have lots of snow they don't belong doing budgets for towns and cities. But this is another reason why are taxes are so high because of the way the politicians are if you don't use all the money in your budget this year you lose it next year so this creates waste.

Like with us with our budget for the fire dept. We might not need all the money in say our truck repair budget for the year but maybe next year we know there are a couple trucks that need to go for maintenance. Instead of being able to bank the money we didn't use this year towards next year we have to spend the money we didn't use this year on things we didn't necessarily need (waste the money) so we don't get our budget cut next year. So then next year we go over budget because the politicians don't know how to save money. This is like this in every town dept in every city and town. This is why your taxes are through the roof. Of course this isn't just unique to Maine either. It's pretty much every state.

[elston]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Right up until you look at #6 - Alaska. Which is ranked much worse than Alabama and some other Southern states. I was going to guess population density, but Alaska mucks up that theory as well. I would think heat would have something to do with it though just off hand and after spending some time in Texas.

maybe alaska has a disproportionate of folks who moved from texas to work the oil fields....bringing their Texas culture with them.

(I am being totally facious and am sure the folks in Texas are just like the rest of us....some good and some bad. )

[Coaster]

From what I've read, much of Alaska's high crime rate is connected to alcohol abuse.