# Integrating Machine Learning Techniques for Enhanced Safety and Crime Analysis in Maryland
## 3 Methodology
### Data Analysis
#### 3.4.3 Crime Crime Trends, Grouped by Victim's Gender, Across Crime Types  
Figure 4 provides a comprehensive analysis of crime victimization trends by gender, offering valuable insights into the distribution and dynamics of various crime types. Overall, males are more frequently victimized in violent crimes such as assault, shooting, and homicide, while property crimes like larceny and burglary display a more balanced  
distribution between genders. In contrast, rape remains predominantly a gendered crime, with female victims vastly outnumbering males. Violent crimes consistently highlight the disproportionate victimization of males. In assault (Figure 4b), male victims outnumber females across the timeline, though both genders experienced a gradual decline in victim counts after 2020, suggesting improvements in crime prevention or intervention efforts. Similarly, shooting incidents (Figure 4c) reveal a marked dominance of male victimization, peaking between 2015 and 2018 before declining steadily for both genders. This pattern reflects systemic factors such as urban violence, exposure to firearm-related risks, and societal norms that place males at higher risk [52; 54]. Homicide data (Figure 4d) further emphasize this disparity, with male victim counts consistently surpassing those for females. The persistence of higher male victimization in these  
Figure 4: Crime trends according to the victim’s gender across crime types: (**a**) distribution, (**b**) assault, (**c**) shooting, (**d**) homicide, (**e**) larceny, (**f**) burglary, (**g**) rape, (**h**) robbery, (**i**) auto theft, and (**j**) arson. crimes aligns with studies showing the association between masculinity, risky behavior, and increased exposure to violence [55]. Property crimes such as larceny and burglary exhibit different patterns. In larceny (Figure 4e), victimization is relatively balanced between genders, showing fluctuations but generally maintaining a stable trend over the years. In contrast, burglary (Figure 4f) shows a decline in victim counts for both genders after 2021, which likely reflects the impact of improved community-based interventions, enhanced security measures, and effective law enforcement strategies targeting property crimes [56]. Auto theft (Figure 4i), on the other hand, experienced a peak in 2022 for both genders, followed by a significant decline in 2023. This drop may be attributed to advancements in vehicle anti-theft technologies and the growing role of digital tools in crime prevention [57]. Rape (Figure 4g) stands out as a profoundly gendered crime. Female victimization significantly exceeds male victimization throughout the timeline, with female victim counts peaking in around 2020 before gradually declining. Male victimization remains minimal in this category, underscoring the stark gender-specific nature of sexual violence. These trends highlight the critical need for targeted policies addressing sexual violence and support systems for survivors [58]. Arson (Figure 4j), although reported less frequently overall, shows an even distribution of victimization between genders. Both genders display a declining trend, particularly over the last two years, reflecting broader reductions in arson incidents. This decline may indicate the success of fire prevention strategies and community awareness [59]. The overall trends suggest that violent crimes such as assault, shootings, and homicide disproportionately impact males, reflecting systemic risks and societal patterns. In contrast, property crimes like larceny and burglary exhibit more balanced gender distributions, suggesting shared vulnerabilities. The gendered nature of rape underscores the critical need for gender-specific strategies to address and prevent sexual violence. The sharp declines observed in 2023 across most crime types may point to changes in crime reporting practices, enhanced law enforcement efforts, or broader societal shifts, such as post-pandemic recovery and community resilience initiatives.