News


Florida crime drops in the first half of 2015

 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Crime continues to fall across Florida according to the 2015 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report.  The report shows Florida’s crime volume dropped 2.2 percent compared to the first six months of 2014. 
 
Governor Rick Scott said, “Florida’s historic crime low is great news for Florida families and visitors, and we are grateful to our law enforcement officials for their brave work keeping our communities safe.”
 
Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Florida’s crime rate continues to decline thanks to the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our communities, and while the decrease in crime is great news, we must remain diligent in our efforts to ensure Florida remains the safest place to live and raise a family.”
 
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said, “Florida’s brave men and women in uniform go to work each day not knowing what unforeseen circumstances they will face in order to keep their family, friends, and millions of people they may never know safe. We’re seeing these crime reductions because of their hard work and the dedication they display for their local communities, and for that we are all grateful.”
 
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said, “Thanks to our dedicated law enforcement officers, we continue to see a decrease in crimes committed in Florida. The men and women in uniform who patrol our communities put their own safety at risk for the benefit of others, and we are grateful for their service.”
 
The Semi-Annual UCR calculates crime volume, the number of index crimes known to law enforcement. The index crimes of murder, robbery, burglary, and larceny all fell during the reporting period while forcible sex offenses, aggravated assault and motor vehicle thefts increased. 
 
Law enforcement officers made 393,814 arrests from January through June 2015.  Statewide, two law enforcement officers have been killed in 2015, one was shot while delivering a subpoena and the other was shot accidently during training.
 
Overall, domestic violence rose 1.7 percent.  Cohabitants continue to be the largest group of victims of domestic violence related offenses.
 
The 2015 Semi Annual Uniform Crime Report, including county-by-county breakdowns, can be found on FDLE’s website at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/FSAC/Menu/UCR-Home.aspx
FDLE began tracking crime statistics in 1971.
 
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “There were 7,400 fewer crimes reported in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014.  Florida law enforcement officers work hard every day to keep our citizens safe.”
 
“The results of the first half of the 2015 Annual Crime Report are testimony to the dedication and hard work of deputy sheriffs and law enforcement officers across the state. This report also demonstrates the need to stay vigilant and properly train and equip law enforcement so that we can be most effective,” said Alachua County Sheriff and Florida Sheriffs Association President Sadie Darnell.
 
"Florida's law enforcement officers are working extremely hard to protect our residents, often at great peril to themselves, and we are encouraged to see the crime rates continue to decrease," said Winter Park Chief of Police Brett Railey, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
 
“Our law enforcement officers place their lives on the line every day to keep our citizens safe, we share their grief when they lose one of their own, such as Deputy Bill Myers who was shot while serving a domestic violence injunction. We also mourn the loss of the 99 women, children and men that were killed as a result of domestic violence during the initial six months of 2015.  I am disheartened at the dramatic increase in domestic violence related crimes reflected in the UCR.  We must recommit to partnering with our criminal justice partners to dismantle this crime that permeates our State.  Our communities must work towards increasing accountability of perpetrators while ensuring the safety of survivors and their children,” said Tiffany Carr, President and CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Molly Best or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001 
 

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