Analysis Show Safe Texarkana

Dr. Eric J. Fritsch, Ph.D., Chairman of the Criminal Justice Department of the University of North Texas, recently released an analysis comparing the perception of crime to reality in Texarkana. The study examined crime trends since 2005, the inaccurate portrayal of the offense in Texarkana by internet websites and possible community actions to support a more accurate description of the region’s safety.

The report demonstrated empirically that Internet sites had erroneously analyzed crime rates in Texarkana. It also showed that the community is enjoying the impacts of intense police work including higher clearance rates than national averages.

The report indicates the following:
 Analyses of crime rates by websites including Road Snacks and
Neighborhood Scout contains “major methodological problems.”
 Because a high number of people pass through for business or travel the data comparisons of crime rates are often skewed.
 Crime rates have declined in the Texarkana region.

The report was commissioned by member companies of the Economic
Development Council and the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. The difference between residents’ positive perception of safety in the Texarkana region and various negative reports appearing on websites often described as “click-bait websites” initiated the results. The perception held by individuals who work and live in the region is that Texarkana is a safe place with little crime. Inaccurate statistics misrepresented Texarkana.

The Economic Development Council is part of the Texarkana Chamber of
Commerce and seeks to facilitate economic development in the region.
The Texarkana Chamber of Commerce is over 100 years old. It is a private non-profit membership trade association. For information on the Chamber of Commerce or the Economic Development Council, please contact their office at 903-792-7191 or by email, chamber@texarkana.org.