By Andy Sevilla.
Violent crime percentages in Buda and Kyle increased by 100 percent and 32 percent, respectively, according to 2011 and 2012 FBI crime statistics. But, a closer look at the numbers show violent crime only ticked up by five reported cases in Buda and 26 in Kyle from 2011 to 2012.
Despite the increases, Kyle earned the number 12 spot among the top 50 safest cities in Texas, according to a report by SafeWise.com. Kyle was the lone city in Hays County to earn that designation, which also included five other Central Texas municipalities.
Buda had five reported violent crimes in 2011; Kyle had 81 that same year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which puts out an annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR) of U.S. cities. 2012 data shows Buda had 10 reported violent crimes, while Kyle had 107 reported cases.
In the FBI’s UCR, violent crime is composed of four offenses – murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault – according to the agency’s website. “Violent crimes are defined in the UCR Program as those offense which involve force or threat of force.”
Notably, as violent crimes increased, so did each city’s population. The UCR claims Buda had 7,449 residents in 2011 and 7,797 in 2012. Kyle had 28,606 residents in 2011 and 29,732 in 2012, according to the report.
| At top, Erika Simmons, a detective with the Buda Police Department, examines a truck that was stolen from the Cabela’s parking lot in Buda. As Hays County grows, the amount of property and violent crimes is growing as well. This chart shows the total combined property and violent crimes for each year in Buda and Kyle. |
San Marcos, the most populous city in Hays County, had a 2011 population of 45,839 and 159 violent crimes were reported that year, the FBI data shows. The following year, the city grew to 47,384 residents, and violent crime increased by three percent to 164 reported cases.
Buda, Kyle and San Marcos were the only three Hays County cities included in the UCR data.
Property crimes in Buda and Kyle are also on the rise, according to the UCR data. From 2011 to 2012, property crimes – burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson – increased from 181 to 225 (24.5 percent) in Buda and from 405 to 484 (19.5 percent) in Kyle. Meanwhile in San Marcos, property crimes decreased from 1,568 to 1,557 (0.07 percent) from 2011 to 2012.
“Kyle is recognized as one of the most affordable cities in Central Texas,” the Safewise report said. “It’s also one of the safest according to the FBI’s Crime Report which says authorities were alerted about five robberies and 69 burglaries in 2011.”
Safewise ranked the safest cities with populations of 20,000 or more based on 2011 FBI crime statistics and through their own “thorough research,” the report said. Only Kyle and San Marcos are above the 20,000 population threshold in Hays County.
“I have to congratulate the hard working men and women of the Kyle Police Department for their valiant dedication and hard work,” Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said of the finding. “They are a remarkable group of professional men and women that are committed to public service.”
Kyle’s low crime rate (the report cited five robberies and 69 burglaries in 2011) and the city’s low cost of living, safe streets and it’s “outstanding” school district are added reasons why Kyle “is a great place to move to,” the report said.
“We are proud to be recognized as a safe community in Texas,” Barnett said. “It is no surprise to me that Kyle is a safe place to live, work and visit. Our community leaders and our ever vigilant community members are always supportive and willing to take action to keep our community safe.”
To view the full SafeWise report, visit http://www.safewise.com/blog/safewise-50-safest-cities-texas/.
