Maine has the lowest rate of violent crime in the country, with aggravated assaults being the most common type of crime. Property crime is also well below the national average.
According to Southwest Journal report, the hidden crimes in Maine tell a different story. Even though state crime rates are lower than the national average, some areas still have a hard time. To find crime hotspots, RoadSnacks looks at the FBI’s 2023 Crime Report. Maine has lower crime rates than the rest of the country, with the highest rates in cities with less than 6,000 people. None of Maine’s towns are in the top 20 most dangerous in the country, but some do need better chances and stronger programs to fight crime.
1. Augusta
Augusta, the state capital, has fewer people living there now than it did before because of more crimes, especially ones involving property.
2. Houlton
Another problem is that the number of people living in Houlton, a cute border town, is steadily decreasing because of a rise in crime.
3. Waterville
Even though the number of people living in Waterville is growing, it has one of the highest crime rates in the state, especially when it comes to property crimes.
4. Biddeford
It is true that Coastal Biddeford has a lot of cultural diversity, but as the population has grown, so has crime.
5. Auburn
Auburn’s reputation has changed because of its high crime rate, which makes it the fifth-most dangerous place in the state. Historically, Auburn was a major hub for shoemaking.
6 and 7. Bangor and Skowhegan
Property crime is a problem in Skowhegan, which is known for its art scene. Bangor, on the other hand, is known for its draws but has a worryingly high crime rate.
8. Lewiston
The number of crimes has recently gone up in Lewiston, Maine, making it the eighth most dangerous city in the state. It is the second-largest city in Maine.
9. The Island of Presque Isle
Presque Isle has a good range of services, but crime is more likely to happen there than in most places.
10. Sanford
There has been a big rise in violence and property crimes in Sanford, which is still a fairly new city. This has hurt the city’s reputation. Despite the unique problems each community is facing, efforts to fight crime and make places safer remain at the heart of community discussions.
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