Crime and Pollution in Fort Smith
The following data and statistics on crime, pollution, and overall safety in Fort Smith are derived from a combination of trusted public sources and insights gathered from over 9 user contributions.
This comprehensive approach helps provide a balanced view of the city's crime rates, environmental concerns, air quality, and public safety. By aggregating information from government reports, environmental studies, and direct feedback from residents, we aim offer an up-to-date and thorough analysis of key factors impacting quality of life in Fort Smith.
Crime Data in Fort Smith
Crime Perception and Concerns
In 2024, Fort Smith displays a moderate crime index, suggesting ongoing public safety concerns. The perception of increasing crime rates is significant, driven by worries particularly about drug-related activities.
Despite these concerns, residents express varying levels of comfort, feeling safer during the day compared to at night.
Some notable concerns include:
- Property Crimes - Property crimes are not currently a major worry in Fort Smith, with public perception balanced and showing little concern about theft or break-ins.
- Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related crime is notably the highest concern for Fort Smith residents. The perception of issues related to substance abuse and related criminal activity significantly affects public sentiment around safety.
- Violent Crimes - Violent crime in Fort Smith is of modest concern. While there's some apprehension around potential violent incidents, these fears aren't overwhelming compared to drug-related issues.
- Public Safety - Safety during daylight hours is relatively assured for Fort Smith residents. However, there's a discernible drop in perceived safety at night, with a particular emphasis on potential violent and drug-related crimes.
Crime Trends and Safety
- Rising Crime Concerns - Perceptions of increasing crime, especially concerning drug offenses, are prominent in Fort Smith. This trend underscores the necessity for community strategies to address these growing fears.
- Specific Fears - Residents show a low level of concern about being mugged or robbed, with more significant fears revolving around drugs and potential violence at night. There is little concern regarding racial or ethnic victimization.
Summary of Crime in Fort Smith
Despite the moderate crime index, Fort Smith's community is keen to see improvements in handling drug-related concerns to foster a greater sense of security and peace in the area. Continued community efforts and law enforcement focus on these issues are vital.
Crime Rankings
The crime ranking by city for the United States 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.
Pollution Data in Fort Smith
Air Quality and Pollution Levels
Fort Smith boasts impressive air quality, with pollution levels being very low. This positive environmental factor contributes significantly to living quality in the area.
The community appreciates the low pollution level, though there remains room for monitoring and maintaining these standards especially in more urban settings.
- PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - Fort Smith's PM2.5 levels are within safe limits, posing minimal risk to the population's health, an asset particularly valued by the city's residents.
- PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - The PM10 concentrations are managed well within Fort Smith, supporting the city's overall positive air quality status.
Waste and Noise Pollution
Challenges with noise pollution are prevalent in Fort Smith, notably affecting the quality of life in busier districts.
Garbage disposal in Fort Smith does not receive high satisfaction scores, highlighting areas where municipal services could improve.
- Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - There is a neutral stance on garbage disposal satisfaction, suggesting a need for enhanced municipal waste management services.
- Noise and Light Pollution - Noise pollution is a significant issue, adversely impacting day-to-day life in certain neighborhoods, suggesting a need for measures to mitigate excessive noise.
Green Spaces and Water Quality
Fort Smith's green spaces receive high praise, offering both aesthetic and recreational benefits to the city's residents.
The quality of drinking water is satisfactory but could benefit from assurances regarding purity and accessibility, as indicated by residents' perceptions.
- Green and Parks Quality - The city's parks and green spaces enjoy excellent ratings, adding to Fort Smith's attractive living conditions and community lifestyle.
- Drinking Water Quality - While drinking water quality is good, efforts could be made to further reassure residents of the water's safety and accessibility.
Pollution Rankings
The pollution ranking for the United States 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.
"Key Takeaways"
In Fort Smith, drug-related crime is a primary concern that shapes public safety perceptions. Property crime is less of a worry, contributing to the overall moderate crime index.
The city enjoys low levels of air pollution, contributing to a high quality of life, though noise pollution and garbage disposal remain areas for improvement.
Fort Smith's strengths lie in its clean air and green spaces, critical for improving community well-being amidst ongoing urban challenges.