Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers | August 5, 2025 | Criminal Defense
According to the FBI’s most recent crime statistics, Port Clinton, Ohio, has relatively safe neighborhoods. The most recent year with complete statistics, 2022, included the second-lowest numbers for violent crimes and the third-lowest for property crimes over the preceding decade. In other words, these crimes have fallen significantly since 2013 and are now sitting near their lows.
However, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. Within Port Clinton, crime rates vary by neighborhood. Although the city’s overall crime rate is remarkably low, some areas have higher rates, while others have lower rates. Together, these statistics provide the citywide average.
Crime Rates in Port Clinton
Port Clinton’s property crime and violent crime rates fall below the state and national averages. Statisticians typically classify these rates separately because they cover different crimes and have distinct impacts on victims.
Offenses Included in Crime Statistics
The following offenses are included when calculating violent crime rates:
- Homicide
- Assault, including domestic violence
- Rape
- Robbery
Property crimes, meanwhile, include the following offenses:
- Arson
- Burglary
- Larceny or theft
- Motor vehicle theft
These numbers include crime reports as opposed to convictions. Specifically, the FBI tracks reported crimes and cleared cases that resulted in an arrest. It doesn’t matter if the person arrested was convicted or acquitted based on the criminal defense they raised — the only numbers the FBI cares about are reported crimes and closed cases.
Offenses Omitted in Crime Statistics
In 2022, the Port Clinton Police Department reported 83 property crimes and 11 violent crimes. Notably, these numbers don’t include other crimes that don’t fit the FBI’s definitions. Specifically, they omit the following:
- Driving under the influence
- Prostitution
- Fraud
- Drug offenses
Of these, the most glaring omission is drug crimes. Many of the offenses that result in arrests in Port Clinton involve the possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances, including illegally acquired prescription medications. For this reason, the following overview of neighborhood crime rates doesn’t include drug crimes.
Neighborhoods With High Crime Rates
Based on the available statistics, the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates include:
- West End
- Lakeshore
Additionally, part of the city’s center has an elevated crime rate. The triangular area enclosed by Fulton St., OH-163/Perry St., and OH-2/OH-53 sees more crimes than other neighborhoods.
Areas with moderately high crime rates include Lacarne, Gypsum, and the area around the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. While not as high as the rates in West End, Lakeshore, and the eastern portion of the city center, these areas have crime rates higher than those of the safest neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods With Low Crime Rates
The following parts of Port Clinton have relatively low crime rates:
- Catawba Island
- Harbor Acres
- Gardens, west of the West End
The area east of Gypsum and the airport is also recognized as fairly safe. However, low crime rates don’t necessarily guarantee safety. Even in areas with a low incidence of offenses, you can still fall victim to a crime or be unfairly accused of committing one.
Understanding Crime Rates in Port Clinton, Ohio
Crime rates in Port Clinton, Ohio, are below the national average for both property and violent offenses. However, the rates differ across the city. Certain neighborhoods, like West End and Lakeshore, experience more frequent crimes, while others, like Catawba Island and the Gardens area west of West End, rarely report crimes.
Even in areas with “high” crime rates, residents and local workers are more likely to end up falling victim to property crimes than violent crimes. Unfortunately, people in these areas are also more likely to be unfairly accused of crimes, making caution and reliable legal representation essential.
If you’ve been injured in Port Clinton, contact Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers as soon as possible. We offer a free consultation with an experienced lawyer.
For more information, contact the Port Clinton criminal defense law firm of Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
We have five convenient locations in Ohio: Sandusky, Port Clinton, Vermilion, Norwalk, and Huron.
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Sandusky
502 W Washington St,
Sandusky, OH 44870
(419) 625-7770
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Port Clinton
132 Madison St,
Port Clinton, OH 43452
(419) 871-3995
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Vermilion
1513 State Rd,
Vermilion, OH 44089
(440) 967-6136
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Norwalk
13 Whittlesey Ave,
Norwalk, OH 44857
(419) 863-5922
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Huron
202 Cleveland Rd W unit 1
Huron, OH 44839
(419) 827-5884