Crime in Watertown Town, Massachusetts

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2018. In Watertown Town, however, property crimes account for about 91% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a higher than average share of total offenses, property crime is much less prevalent in Watertown Town than it is nationwide. There were 283 property crimes in Watertown Town in 2018, or 779 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,200 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Watertown Town. There were 230 larcenies reported in Watertown Town in 2018, or 633 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,595 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 38 break-ins reported in Watertown Town in 2018, or 105 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 327 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2018.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 229 for every 100,000 people. In Watertown Town, meanwhile, there were 15 motor vehicle thefts in 2018, or 41 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the more than 8.4 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2018. In Watertown Town, however, violent offenses account for a smaller 9% share of all reported crime.

At 80 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Watertown Town is well below the national violent crime rate of 381 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Watertown Town reported a total of 29 violent crimes in 2018.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. There were 17 aggravated assaults reported in Watertown Town in 2018, or 47 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far higher, standing at 247 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 3 robberies reported in Watertown Town in 2018, a rate of 8 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 86 per 100,000 in 2018.

Rape

There were 9 rapes reported in Watertown Town in 2018, or 25 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,380 rapes in 2018, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

While there were 16,214 murders nationwide in 2018, none were reported in Watertown Town in 2018.