In Springfield, Ohio, a dramatic surge in shoplifting and vehicle theft coincides with the arrival of thousands of Haitian refugees, fueling local concerns over rising crime and straining public resources.
Reports of shoplifting and vehicle theft have surged in Springfield, Ohio, following the arrival of thousands of Haitian refugees over the past three years, according to data obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. The town, which had a population of 58,622 in 2020, has seen its population increase by up to 34.1% due to the influx of 12,000 to 20,000 Haitian migrants. As the population grew, crime rates also spiked, with motor vehicle thefts increasing by 51.5% and shoplifting incidents jumping 112.8% between 2021 and 2023, according to data from the Springfield Police Division.
The surge in crime has added to the growing concerns among Springfield residents, who have already reported increased car accidents, higher housing costs, and strained public services as a result of the influx. Bryan Heck, Springfield’s city manager, wrote to lawmakers in July, including Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican Sens. J.D. Vance and Tim Scott, requesting federal assistance to manage the pressures on the housing market.
Though the Springfield police department declined to comment on the data, which does not specify the immigration status of offenders, the town has historically had a higher crime rate than the national average. In 2019, the violent crime rate in Springfield was 493.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national rate of 366.7 per 100,000.
The crime surge follows an effort by Springfield’s chamber of commerce to attract new businesses, which in turn drew Haitian migrants to fill labor demands. While some locals have expressed frustration over the growing population, many migrants are contributing through tax payments and are working legally under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was first granted to Haitians by the Biden-Harris administration in 2021 and extended until 2026.
However, tensions in the community have risen. In August 2023, a Haitian national driving without a license caused a fatal accident involving a school bus, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring several others. This incident brought the issue of poor driving among some refugees to the forefront, with Gov. Mike DeWine pledging $2.5 million in aid to help Springfield manage the migrant influx and deploying the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist with traffic enforcement.
Springfield residents have voiced their frustrations, with one local pastor noting that the town experiences accidents daily. A towing company employee confirmed the rise in car wrecks, and many residents are calling for outside assistance. “We’re tired — help,” one resident said, urging the country to send aid to the overwhelmed community.
The growing strain in Springfield is part of a broader challenge across the U.S. as cities struggle to manage the influx of migrants. Major cities like New York and Chicago have also reported budgetary pressures due to the rising number of migrants, with over 7 million border encounters since President Biden took office in January 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Though the Biden-Harris administration halted a flight program after reports of fraud, it has since allowed flights to resume, further increasing the number of Haitian migrants arriving in small towns like Springfield. As the town grapples with rising crime, traffic incidents, and housing shortages, local leaders are seeking immediate federal intervention to address the growing crisis.
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