Key West crime takes a dip
Crime in Key West dropped over the past six months, when compared to the first half of 2013, reports Alyson Crean, spokesperson for the city of Key West. She said violent crime is down by 13 percent compared to the first six months of 2013, and non-violent crime is down by 5 percent.
Each year the Key West Police Department reports its crime statistics to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. These numbers are compiled for the first six months of the year, and then again for an overall annual tally. These statistics are compiled for the entire state by the FDLE in its Uniform Crime Reporting system.
Overall, crime is down by 6 percent citywide between Jan. 1, 2014, and June 30, 2014 compared to the same time period in 2013.
The most dramatic reductions are the drop in the number of burglaries – down 20 percent – and robberies – down 21 percent. In the first half of 2013, there were 114 burglaries; in 2014 that number dropped to 91. There were 23 robberies during the first half of 2013, dropping to 18 incidents in 2014. There were 15 percent fewer incidents of aggravated assaults in the first half of this year, when compared to the first half of 2013: Dropping from 70 to 59.
Not all types of crime dropped, however. Crean said motor vehicle thefts had a slight increase, and larceny from a building was up 19 percent, rising from 77 to 92 incidents. Motor vehicle thefts were up slightly as well, from 22 for the first half of 2013 to 34 for the same period this year.
While acknowledging there is always a random element in statistics, especially a six-month compilation, Chief Donie Lee says that working with the community is vital to a strong and safe city.
“In partnership with our community,” he said, “our officers are dedicated to keeping this a safe community for residents and for visitors.”
[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]
No Comment