Ohio is a state with many attractions, such as beautiful state parks, vibrant cities, and delicious food. However, it is also a state with some of the most dangerous places in the country, according to the latest FBI crime data. Among them, one city stands out as the most violent and deadly: Canton.
Canton: The Most Dangerous City in Ohio
Canton is a city of 69,623 people located about 20 miles south of Akron. It is best known for being the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which celebrates the history and legends of American football. However, it is also a city that has been plagued by crime and violence for years.
According to the FBI crime data for 2021, Canton had the highest murder rate in Ohio, with 43.5 murders per 100,000 people. That means that Canton had more murders than Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, which are much larger cities. In fact, Canton had the 11th highest murder rate in the entire country, surpassing cities like Detroit, Baltimore, and Chicago.
Canton also had the highest burglary rate in Ohio, with 5,256 burglaries per 100,000 people. That means that residents faced a 1 in 19 chance of being the victim of a property crime in 2021. Additionally, Canton had the second highest robbery rate and the fourth highest aggravated assault rate in the state.
What Causes the High Crime Rate in Canton?
There are many factors that contribute to the high crime rate in Canton, such as poverty, unemployment, drugs, gangs, and lack of education. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Canton had a poverty rate of 28.9% in 2019, which is more than double the national average of 12.3%. The median household income in Canton was $32,544, which is less than half of the national median of $68,703.
The unemployment rate in Canton was 7.9% in 2020, which is higher than the state average of 6.5% and the national average of 6.1%. The lack of economic opportunities and social mobility may lead some people to resort to crime as a way of survival or expression of frustration.
Another major problem in Canton is the drug epidemic, especially the opioid crisis. According to the Ohio Department of Health, Canton had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the state in 2019, with 76.8 deaths per 100,000 people. That is more than three times the national rate of 21.6 deaths per 100,000 people. The abuse of prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl has devastated many lives and families in Canton, and fueled the violence and crime in the city.
Furthermore, Canton has a history of gang activity and turf wars, which often result in shootings and homicides. According to the Canton Police Department, there are about 15 active gangs in the city, with about 300 members. Some of the most notorious gangs are the Loyal Always, the Down the Way Boys, and the 14th Street Gang. These gangs are involved in drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, and murder, and often clash with each other over territory and money.
Lastly, Canton suffers from a lack of education and social services, which may prevent some people from breaking the cycle of crime and poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 83.4% of the population in Canton had a high school diploma or higher in 2019, which is lower than the state average of 90.2% and the national average of 88.6%.
Only 13.4% of the population in Canton had a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is less than half of the state average of 28.5% and the national average of 32.1%. The low educational attainment may limit the employment and income prospects of many people in Canton, and make them more vulnerable to crime and violence.
How Can Canton Improve Its Safety and Quality of Life?
Canton is a city that has a lot of potential and assets, such as its rich history, culture, and sports. However, it is also a city that faces many challenges and threats, such as its high crime rate, poverty, and drug addiction. To improve its safety and quality of life, Canton needs to address these issues with a comprehensive and collaborative approach, involving the government, the police, the community, and the private sector.
Some of the possible solutions and strategies that Canton can implement are:
1.) Investing in economic development and job creation, especially for the low-income and marginalized groups, to reduce poverty and inequality, and provide more opportunities and hope for the residents.
2.) Enhancing the education and training system, especially for the youth and the adults, to improve the skills and qualifications of the workforce, and increase the competitiveness and productivity of the city.
3.) Expanding the drug prevention and treatment programs, especially for the opioid users and the overdose victims, to reduce the demand and supply of drugs, and save more lives and families from the addiction and the violence.
4.) Strengthening the law enforcement and the criminal justice system, especially for the violent and repeat offenders, to deter and punish the crime, and protect the public safety and the order.
5.) Promoting the community engagement and the social cohesion, especially for the diverse and vulnerable groups, to foster the trust and the cooperation among the residents, and build a more inclusive and resilient city.
Conclusion
Canton is a city that has been named one of the “Murder Capital” in the entire country, due to its high murder rate and other violent and property crimes. The city faces many challenges and problems, such as poverty, unemployment, drugs, gangs, and lack of education, that contribute to the crime and the violence. However, the city also has many opportunities and strengths, such as its history, culture, and sports, that can help it overcome the difficulties and improve its situation.
By implementing some of the possible solutions and strategies, such as investing in economic development, enhancing the education system, expanding the drug treatment programs, strengthening the law enforcement, and promoting the community engagement, Canton can become a safer and better place to live for its residents and visitors.