Crime and Pollution in Hastings

Crime Data in Hastings

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, Hastings, Sierra Leone experiences a high level of concern about crime. While crime levels are moderate, residents are notably worried about property crimes and drug-related offenses.

Public safety perceptions are low, particularly during nighttime, with residents feeling insecure when alone.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Property crimes, including home break-ins and car thefts, are significant concerns for Hastings residents. This sense of insecurity is a critical issue affecting day-to-day life.
• Drug-Related Issues - The presence of drug-related crimes is a critical concern in Hastings, impacting community safety and contributing to a pervasive environment of fear.
• Violent Crimes - Violent crimes, while a prominent worry, include mugging and robbery. The high fear of these crimes exacerbates the area's overall safety challenges.
• Public Safety - Residents of Hastings report feeling unsafe both during the day and at night. This low sense of security affects their quality of life and the community's overall morale.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - There is no significant perception of crime increasing, yet the existing levels already pose substantial concerns regarding public safety and confidence.
• Specific Fears - Key specific fears include being mugged, robbed, or having one's home broken into. The fear of car theft and drug-related incidents adds to the general sense of insecurity.

Summary of Crime in Hastings

Hastings faces significant challenges in crime prevention, particularly concerning property crimes and drug-related offenses. Enhanced community policing and targeted initiatives could bolster public safety and reduce fear.

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

Hastings struggles with poor air quality and pollution, exacerbated by environmental and infrastructural shortcomings. These issues particularly affect densely populated and industrial areas.

Residents are consistently concerned about the negative health impacts of air pollution, which is reflected in the city's very low air quality evaluations.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - PM2.5 levels, although reported as zero, suggest measurement or reporting issues and should be further investigated for accurate representation.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - PM10 data indicates a lack of sufficient monitoring or possible inaccuracies, necessitating improved data collection for a clearer understanding of pollution.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Noise pollution remains a significant contributor to dissatisfaction among Hastings residents, compounded by issues with light disturbances.

Garbage disposal inadequacies significantly tarnish the city's cleanliness and habitability, leading to widespread community concern.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - Opinions on waste management are negative, with many residents dissatisfied with how garbage disposal is handled in Hastings.
• Noise and Light Pollution - Noise and light pollution are serious issues, particularly in urbanized zones. High levels of industrial and urban noise disrupt the community's daily life.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

Green spaces in Hastings are not well-maintained, negatively impacting community recreation and environmental health.

Water quality is significantly poor, with accessibility issues leading to widespread dissatisfaction concerning drinking water availability.

• Green and Parks Quality - Residents express dissatisfaction with the quality and maintenance of the city's green spaces, which are crucial for community well-being.
• Drinking Water Quality - Drinking water quality is extremely poor, with major concerns around accessibility and safety, placing pressure on the city's infrastructure to address these pressing issues.