2007 COMMUNITY HEALTH DATA ANALYSIS

Public Safety/Domestic Violence

Crime Rates
Overall: In 2005 all crime rate indicators are lower than the state rate, thus the overall crime rate for Cape Girardeau County (4259.9) is lower than the state (4523.7). Both Cape Girardeau County and the State experienced a decrease in crime rates from 2001 to 2005. Cape Girardeau County experienced a 14% decrease in crime while the State experienced an 8% decrease.

Homicide Rate: 1999-2002 Cape Girardeau County=4.4 | Missouri= 8.6

Assault Rate Inpt: 1999-2002 Cape Girardeau County= 13.5 | Missouri= 30

Assault Rate Outpt: 1999-2002 Cape Girardeau County=307.6 | Missouri=419.5

Violent Crime Rate: 1999-2002 Cape Girardeau County=6927.5 | Missouri = 10,459.2

The greatest number of arrests in 2006 in Cape Girardeau County was for Driving under the Influence (666). The same was true for the state (39,740).

Juvenile Crime
In 2001 in the 18 years and under age group, the five leading arrests for crime were (1) Runaway (13.9% of all Juvenile Crimes), (2) Larceny/Theft (12.3%), (3) Liquor Law Violation (7%), (4) Marijuana possession, and (5) Disorderly Conduct (5.6%). By 2006 these changed to (1) Larceny/Theft (19.7%), 54% by males, (2) Simple (non-aggravated) assaults (14.2%), 77%males, (3) Runaway (13.0%), 54.5% males, (4) Disorderly conduct (7.8%), 50% male, and (5) Liquor Law Violations (4.9%), 83% male. The leading juvenile arrests for the state were (1) Simple (non-aggravated assault), (2) Larceny/Theft, (3) Runaway, (4) Disorderly Conduct, and (5) Liquor Law Violation. State arrests for individuals under 18 included murder and rape – Cape Girardeau did not.

In Cape Girardeau County 70.7% of arrests in the 18 year and under age group were male, 29.3% female. Data was not readily available by race/age/sex for all crimes. In the 18 year and younger age group driving under the influence was predominantly white. Arrests for driving under the influence vary by year with a low of 5 arrests per year and a high of 13 arrests per year from 2001-2006. Juvenile Court Referrals for alcohol offenses increased from 11 in 2002 to 31 in 2004. During this same time period, drug offenses stayed consistent with 45 in 2002 and 44 in 2004.

or the year 2006, the average number of youths, in Cape Girardeau County, in Division of Youth Services custody was 37.

Illegal Drugs/ Alcohol
In 2001 and 2004 in both Cape Girardeau County and the State of Missouri the 19–29 year old age group had the highest number of arrests for drug use/possession. In Cape Girardeau County illegal drug crimes accounted for 12.3% of all crimes in 2001 and 9.1% in 2004. Of these, in 2001, 89% were in the older than 18 age group, 82.7% male, and 82% white. By the year 2006, 88% were in the older than 18 age group, 79% male, and 68% white. Thus although the overall percent of drug crimes decreased, possession/sale of illegal drugs has increased in the 18 year and under age group, females, and black race.

In 2001 in Cape Girardeau County 18% (Missouri was 14.9%) of all arrests were alcohol related. Of those 72% were for driving under the influence, 0.4% was for operating a vessel under the influence, 27% were for liquor law violations, and 0.8% were for drunkenness. By 2006, these rates were 19% (Missouri was 14.7%) of all arrests — 80% of which were for driving under the influence, and 20% were for liquor law violations. From 2001–2006 the groups with the highest percentage of arrests were the older than 18 years (especially the 19–29 year age group) and males. There was a 24% increase in female arrests and a 34% decrease in the less than 18 year age group.

In 2003 79.5% of community leaders, 42.5% of neighborhood respondents, and 13.7% of household respondents indicated that alcohol/drug abuse was of moderate/major concern (COMPASS survey).

Family/Domestic Violence
The domestic violence rate in Cape Girardeau County declined, unlike the state, from 525.2 in 2004 to 512.6 in 2006. The majority of these offenses were conducted by a spouse or live in partner. In the same time period the state rate rose from 678.5 to 684.1. Arrests for offenses against the family and children decreased from 0.72% of all arrests in 2004 to 0.29% in 2006.

Child Abuse or Neglect: The County rate has increased from 35.5 in 2001 to 41.6 in 2005. Conversely the state experienced a slight decrease from 46.2 in 2001 to 44.3 in 2002. According to the Missouri Department of Social Services in SFY 2006, there were 874 hotline reports, 572 family assessments, and 73 children with substantiated abuse or neglect. Out of home placement decreased from a rate of 5.3 in 2001 to 3.9 in 2005. Out of home placement for the state also decreased increased during this time period. The number of children in custody in SFY 2006 was 143 and the average monthly number of children in custody was 76. Out of home placement for the state increased during this time period.

Elder Abuse: Elder abuse statistics that could be identified for Cape Girardeau County were not numerically significant. A total of 20 ER visits from 1995–2005 were for Adult Abuse.

Self Inflicted Injury: Hospitalization for self inflicted injuries were not significantly different in Cape Girardeau County (6.2) than for the state (5.8), while outpatient rates were significantly lower for the County (0.6) than the state (0.4). The 15–19 year age group had the highest rate of hospitalizations and ER visits both in the County and in the state. The highest rate for deaths related to self inflicted injuries was the 35–64 age group.

Auto Safety
Motor vehicle surveys conducted in 1996 revealed that only 56.2% of respondents used seat belt. Missouri had an 80.9% use during that time. By 2001, Cape Girardeau residents reported an 84.2% use, while the state reported an 85.5% use. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, in 2006 the state had a 75.18% seat belt use rate.

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