Property crimes in Philadelphia have risen significantly in just a year’s time, according to an article in Broad + Liberty. The numbers, reported by the Philadelphia Police Department, show double-digit increases for nearly all categories of property crimes from 2021 to 2022.
Auto thefts increased 36 percent, and were roughly three times more than during 2016-2019. Simple theft was up 20 percent after dips in 2020 and 2021. Robberies with guns were up 20 percent, representing the largest increase in violent crime categories.
While carjackings – generally a problem in the city – weren’t explicitly reported, their numbers were included in the auto theft category. The Philadelphia Police Department reported 1,331 carjackings in 2022, up from 224 in 2019. Retail theft rose 52 percent, from 9,371 to 14,533 incidents, an all-time high for the category. Citing safety concerns, retailers like Starbucks and Wawa have closed some of their Philadelphia locations.
Hearing statistics like these can be alarming, but being involved as a victim of one of these crimes can be life changing. Victims of crime in Philadelphia can experience overwhelming emotional trauma and physical injury. However, an experienced law firm can help you pursue compensatory damages in civil court, along with criminal sanctions against the attacker. Please contact us to learn more.