Overall Crime Down In Escambia, Across Florida

April 24, 2014

New data released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows overall crime down in Escambia County and Florida’s crime rate at the lowest point in decades.

Florida’s crime rate dropped 4.7 percent in 2013 compared to 2012, putting Florida at a 43-year crime low.  In Escambia County, overall crime was down 6.1 percent during the year.

Murders were up from 22 in 2012 to 26 in 2013, and motor vehicle thefts also increased in Escambia County, according to the FDLE data. All other major crime categories — forcible rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and larcenies — saw a decrease from 2012 to 2013.

The Escambia County data includes crimes investigated not only the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but also the Pensacola Police Department, University of West Florida Police, Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies.

Across Florida, the total number of crimes fell 3.8 percent from last year which translates into 27,380 fewer crimes in 2013.  The number of violent crimes was also down 2.4 percent.Murder is down 3.9 percent, forcible sex offenses and robbery each declined 2.8 percent and aggravated assault is down 2.1 percent.

“Today we have more good news for families. Even while Florida’s population grows, the total number of crimes continues to drop, which is a testament to our brave men and women who serve in our communities each and every day. Florida is now at a 43-year crime low. Our lower crime rate means that not only are our families and communities safer, but Florida is in a better position to create more opportunities for Floridians. This drop in crime shows everyone that Florida really is the best place to raise a family,” Gov. Rick Scott said.

Comments

8 Responses to “Overall Crime Down In Escambia, Across Florida”

  1. David Huie Green on April 25th, 2014 8:23 pm

    Thinker,
    People who commit crimes are put in prison which means they are not free to commit more crimes and you wonder why fewer crimes are being committed?

    David for cause and effect considerations

  2. Oversight on April 25th, 2014 5:37 am

    Fox is guarding the hen house. The crimes listed these rose colored glasses statistics are self-reported numbers by agencies to FDLE.

  3. Matt on April 25th, 2014 1:36 am

    Thinker, maybe you just aren’t the Critical Thinker. Basic math and deductive reasoning would point out the flaw in your argument.

  4. Robert S. on April 24th, 2014 4:03 pm

    WOW…this is tough to believe when the media reports near daily shootings and deaths due to violence of some sort or other, home invasions, robberies, assaults, domestic violence, crimes against children and the elderly, on and on and on.

    Perhaps if governor Scott is so pleased with this he can release his, and the family, taxpayer funded armed security force that travels with him.
    That would be a Real Statement as to how safe he feels…..

    Any elected officials and their subs should also be safe enough to walk, drive, travel alone and allow their security persons go back to normal duties for the public benefit.

  5. Thinker on April 24th, 2014 1:35 pm

    It’s been dropping for years. And yet the U.S. prison population (What about Florida?) has gone up. How is this possible?

  6. bull on April 24th, 2014 9:04 am

    It means they are full of bull crap and trying to get re-elected Escambia county has went to crap just look at all the murders not long ago they were saying that per capita Escambia county it the toughest county in the nation because of all of the increase in violent crimes

  7. Walnut Hill Roy on April 24th, 2014 7:49 am

    Does that mean we can reduce the number of tax supported LEOs to the level that they were at 43 years ago? That would be quite a savings.

  8. David on April 24th, 2014 5:33 am

    This drop in crime shows everyone that Florida really is the best place to raise a family,” Gov. Rick Scott said.
    My gosh, you can tell its getting close to election time
    I guess we can start leaving the windows open and the screen doors unlocked .