Vacationland Maine has shadows despite its beauty and friendliness. RoadSnacks examined FBI crime records for 55 cities with populations over 5,000 in 2023 to reveal the brutal reality of crime in some parts of the state.
The Challenges: Maine’s 2023 Most Dangerous Cities
Augusta, Maine’s capital city, has higher-than-average rates of robbery, assault, violent crime, burglary, and auto theft despite its modest population of 18,653. The US/Canada border town of Houlton has high larceny and serious assault rates. Waterville has a high property crime rate despite a moderate population rise since 2011. With a population of 21,530, seaside Biddeford sees a spike in crime. Auburn, formerly a shoe industry leader, is today Maine’s fifth most violent city.
Bangor, the third-largest city in Maine, has car theft and robberies. Art-loving Skowhegan has high property crime rates. Maine’s second-largest city, Lewiston, has seen a rise in crime. Presque Isle, with big-city facilities and small-town charm, has a higher crime rate than the state average. Finally, Sanford, a young city, has significant burglary and property crime rates.
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Maine’s Challenges in Charming Communities
Maine has 121 violent crimes and 1,507 property offenses, but its crime rate is far below the national average. The city with the highest state assault and murder rates has a population under 6,000.
Maine’s cities didn’t make the 2022 list of the nation’s most hazardous, but certain communities still struggle. These areas need more jobs, higher wages, and strong rehabilitation programs to combat rising crime.
Maine is charming and secure for most, but these cities highlight the intricacies and consequences of regional rivalries, prompting a closer study of their socioeconomic dynamics.
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