| McAllen, Texas is Hidalgo County’s largest city, with about 130,000 residents in the 2010 U.S. census. It is located directly on the Rio Grande and opposite the Mexican city of Reynosa. McAllen has been growing steadily since the 1980s. Currently McAllen’s population is predominantly Hispanic and young, with a median age of only 30 and a family income of $36,000. This is substantially lower than the median income for the U.S. of about $51,000 but understandable considering that at the age of 30, most people are just beginning their careers. Slightly more residents rent than own their homes when compared to the national average. McAllen has a Low Cost of Living McAllen has the distinction of being the third-least expensive place to live in the U.S. The average cost of a home is $178,000, over 16% less expensive than the national average. A two-bedroom, two-bath apartment can be rented for about $700 per month. How Safe is McAllen? The general opinion of cities bordering the Rio Grande is that they have very high crime rates. In fact, the opposite is true. Most of the cities in the Rio Grande Valley are safer than might be expected. This is generally true of McAllen although McAllen is certainly not crime-free. When the FBI ranked the 24 metro areas in Texas, McAllen was was at the “safe” end of the list, at #18It’s not all good news, though: McAllen’s overall crime rate is 19% higher than the crime rate for the U.S. as a wholeMcAllen is less safe than 55% of all cities in the U.S.McAllen residents have a 1 in 31 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime, such as a burglary or car theftThe good news is that most crime in McAllen is non-violent, with there being only a 1 in 925 chance of someone being victimized by a violent crimeIn 2015, there were 3,298 property crimes in McAllen, but only 108 violent crimesThe police department has 404 officers, the same as other Texas cities of this size but 9% lower than the national average Gang Activity Gang activity in the region achieved national prominence in March, 2016 when ICE arrested more than 1,000 gang members during a nationwide operation. In McAllen and other locations in south Texas, there were a total of 36 arrests of gang members. These people were suspected of significant crimes, including drug trafficking and human smuggling. The list of the gang affiliations was almost endless, including, of course, the infamous MS-13. Other gangs involved in this operation ranged from the Bloods, Surenos, Nortenos, prison gangs, Aryan Brotherhood, the Mexican Mafia and Gulfo del Cartel. Substantial quantities of firearms and drugs were seized. For McAllen residents, their worst crime problem is sitting across the river. Reynosa is considered to be a very dangerous city, calling it a hotbed of cartel and gang activity. Some of this seeps across the river into McAllen. Texas is an Open Carry State As of 2016, any Texan who possesses a concealed carry license can keep their pistol in plain view, although it must be holstered. Since the passing of this law, a 25% increase has been observed in the number of people choosing to enroll in gun permitting classes. This has been more or less the same throughout Texas, including in McAllen. Eligibility requirements for a carry permit have not changed. The applicant must be over 21, have a clean criminal record with zero felony convictions and no more than two misdemeanor convictions within the last ten years. DIY Home Security Systems are Recommended for McAllen Residents Even with the gang influence in McAllen, the vast majority of crimes are non-violent property crimes, as mentioned above. This is a perfect scenario for installing a home security system. Since most McAllen residents have lower incomes than in many other cities, DIY security systems are the perfect choice. While a hefty monthly fee would be unaffordable for many, the components of a DIY system can be purchased separately or as a package for a reasonable cost. At a minimum, a DIY home security system should include most, if not all, of the components listed below. A high-decibel alarm that will wake up the neighbors and scare of most intruders – a siren falling between the 15-20 watt sound level is standard, but a 30 watt siren is much louderWireless motion-activated cameras placed both inside and outsideA base station to connect the chosen system components and that will automatically send you an email if something triggers the system – it’s possible to have alerts sent to a cell phone, but this is expensive unless the owner of the system has an unlimited data planExternal video camera must be designed for outdoor use. Typically, these cameras are wireless, but wired is also an acceptable option. Choose a camera that will pan and zoom so that more detail can be recorded. Many external video cameras include the software necessary to transmit a signal live to a computer or TVIf smoke and heat detectors are not already built in to the home, include them in this systemMotion sensitive spotlights are another security optionGlass break detectors set off an alarm if a window is broken, an important security feature particularly if someone is trying to climb into a bedroomDeadbolt locks and sturdy entry doors finish off the list Overall, the residents of McAllen are happy with where they live. However, there is an element of danger and self-protection is important. A DIY home security system can be crucial for the protection of the home and family. |
