People know Arizona for its beautiful scenery and many things to do, but some towns have high crime rates that show the state’s darker side. One of these towns stands out as the most dangerous.
New data from the FBI shows that Bisbee has an alarmingly high murder rate of 97.8 per 100,000 people, making it Arizona’s murder capital. This number is over 40 times the national average of 2.3 and almost seven times the average for the state, which is 14.1. The reasons for the small city’s high crime rate and possible solutions need to be looked at more closely.
History of the Town of Bisbee
Bisbee is an old mining town in southeastern Arizona, close to the border with Mexico. It has a long and eventful history. It was founded in 1880 and quickly became one of the most successful copper mining hubs in the world. At its peak, Bisbee had more than 20,000 people living in it, making it the biggest city between St. Louis and San Francisco.
But Bisbee also had to deal with violence and corruption because of the mining business. Violence often broke out in labor disputes, racial issues, and political disagreements. The infamous Bisbee Deportation of 1917 is one example. During this event, more than 1,000 miners who were on strike were taken away by armed vigilantes and sent to New Mexico. In the 1950s and 1960s, when mining activities stopped, Bisbee became a ghost town.
The Rise and Fall of Bisbee
In the 1970s, Bisbee went through a renaissance. It attracted artists, hippies, and retirees who were drawn to its historical beauty and beautiful setting. The city changed its image to become a culture hub and tourist destination with many art galleries, museums, festivals, and events. People from all walks of life and backgrounds come to Bisbee because it is known for having a progressive and welcoming culture. Today, there are about 5,000 people living in Bisbee, and the town is famous both as a tourist spot and as a place to live.
Problems Bisbee Has to Deal With
And even though Bisbee has changed a lot, it still faces many problems. Poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, and crime are some of the problems the city faces. A lot of the old buildings are falling apart and could be dangerous, and the infrastructure is still not good enough. Also, Bisbee has a rough relationship with the neighboring county that offers most of its public services and law enforcement.
The city’s police force is small and doesn’t have enough money to handle the high number and seriousness of crimes. Some of the highest murder rates in the country are found in Bisbee. It has the highest murder rate in the state. Many murders go unsolved or aren’t recorded because they have to do with domestic violence, drug dealing, or gang activity.
A Way for Bisbee to Move Forward
Bisbee’s past and culture are very interesting, but its problems need to be fixed right away. The city needs more money and help from the county, state, and federal governments to fix its social and economic problems. This help could come in the form of more police officers, prosecutors, courts, and programs that keep people from committing crimes.
The city also needs investment and redevelopment projects to create more jobs, improve the level of housing, and bring life back to downtown. To make Bisbee feel safe and like a community, it’s important for residents, companies, and community groups to work together and talk to each other often. There is no doubt that the city has a lot of promise, but it is also clear that big changes need to happen.