Florida crime drops 8 percent in the first half of 2018

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Man in the process of stealing from a vehicle. Photo via WINK News.
Man in the process of stealing from a vehicle. Photo via WINK News.

A report release on Tuesday documents decreasing incidents of crime all across Florida in the first half of 2018.

The 2018 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report compiled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement denotes an 8 percent drop in crime volume, or less than 25,000 fewer reported index illegal acts, compared to the first six months of 2017.

Both violent and property crimes are down in the report, according to the FDLE press release. Index crimes of robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft have also decreased, along with domestic violence.

However, murder and rape has seen a slight increase, of both at nearly 3 percent and 4 percent.

In Lee County, there has been a 26 percent increase in vehicle thefts.

The trend is partly due to residents leaving keys to the vehicle inside over night. When they wake up, they will notice their vehicle has been pillaged.

As a whole, the recent data figures have been well received.

“Today’s announcement of Florida’s crime rate continuing to drop shows why Florida is the best place to raise a family and succeed,” Governor Rick Scott said, per the press release.

“Of course, none of this success would be possible without the incredible work and constant sacrifice of the brave members of Florida’s law enforcement,” he said, “who have helped us reach a 47-year low in crime.”

 

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