Crime and Pollution in Chittagong

Crime Data in Chittagong

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, Chittagong faces significant public concern over crime rates, particularly in areas of property crime and drug-related offenses. This illustrates the challenging landscape of public safety that residents navigate daily.

Although some improvements have been noted, safety during both night and daylight remains a pressing issue for residents, largely driven by the fear of crime increasing.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Residents of Chittagong report high levels of anxiety concerning property crimes, including home burglaries and theft, which are perceived as rampant across the city.
• Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related crime is a significant issue in Chittagong, with public perception indicating that drug problems are a critical factor contributing to the overall sense of insecurity.
• Violent Crimes - Concerns about violent crimes, such as mugging and robbery, persist. Residents exhibit heightened worry about assaults, contributing to an uneasy environment even in daylight hours.
• Public Safety - Public safety in Chittagong shows signs of distress, with safety figures indicating that residents do not feel secure when alone at night. This lack of nighttime safety contributes to an overall low safety index.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - The perception that crime is on a steep rise adds to the public unease, with particular attention to property and drug-related offenses that seem to be increasing rapidly.
• Specific Fears - Although there is some relief regarding violence based on ethnic or religious lines, fears related to theft and drug offenses dominate public sentiment. Additionally, the city's known corruption issues exacerbate these fears.

Summary of Crime in Chittagong

Chittagong's crime scenario highlights the need for robust law enforcement and community engagement to address property crimes and drug-related offenses. Despite ongoing efforts, making tangible improvements in public safety remains crucial.

Crime Rankings

The crime ranking by city for Bangladesh is based on a continuously updated index, incorporating data up to 36 months old and calculated twice a year. Cities are ranked on a scale from "very low" to "very high" crime levels, with safety being the inverse, where a high safety index indicates a safer city.

1. Dhaka

Bangladesh

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

In 2024, air pollution in Chittagong is marked by alarming levels of particulate matter, with PM2.5 and PM10 far exceeding safe thresholds, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges.

While urbanization advances, so do the pollution concerns, making it critical for the city to address these issues for better health outcomes.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - Chittagong's PM2.5 levels are alarmingly high, significantly surpassing global safety standards, posing severe health risks to inhabitants.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - PM10 levels are similarly elevated, contributing to respiratory and other health issues, reflecting the need for improved industrial and vehicular emission controls.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Waste management is a major area of concern for Chittagong, with poor satisfaction in garbage disposal highlighted by residents.

Noise pollution, while less critical than air pollution, still affects quality of life, primarily in more densely populated zones.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - Satisfaction with garbage disposal services is notably low, with many citizens expressing frustration over ineffective waste management systems.
• Noise and Light Pollution - Noise pollution remains a persistent irritant, especially in urban centers, contributing to the city's challenging living conditions.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

Green spaces in Chittagong are insufficient, limiting recreational opportunities and diminishing the city's appeal.

Water quality, while accessible, faces challenges in purity, contributing to public health concerns.

• Green and Parks Quality - The lack of green spaces in Chittagong is a setback for environmental health and urban life quality, needing urgent enhancement.
• Drinking Water Quality - Concerns regarding drinking water quality prevail, with many expressing issues over potential contaminants and resultant health impacts.

Pollution Rankings

The pollution ranking for Bangladesh is based on a combination of visitor perceptions and data from institutions like the World Health Organization. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution levels by considering air and water pollution, garbage disposal, and other factors, with air pollution given the highest weight, while the Pollution Exp Scale uses an exponential function to highlight extremely polluted cities.

1. Dhaka

Bangladesh