Crime Rate down significantly for 2018

 

Numbers compiled by the Sheriff’s Office show a continuing decrease in crime of 16.8% for 2018 in Monroe County. These numbers are reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The FDLE compiles all such statistics for the state of Florida each year.

 

This decrease is for all areas of Monroe County excluding the city of Key West. The Key West Police Department submits their own similar report to FDLE.

 

“I’m very proud of the hardworking men and women of the Sheriff’s Office for the significant strides we are making in curbing and solving crimes committed in Monroe County,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “These numbers are a testament to my philosophy that community policing works. The proof is in the pudding — the numbers. It is my goal and the goal of this agency to continue to make these important strides, such as those in 2018.”

 

The Sheriff’s Office saw burglary go down by 32.1%; larceny crimes, which include theft, shoplifting, theft from a motor vehicle and bicycle thefts, went down by 15.8%

 

Some violent crimes saw an increase and others decreased; crimes like murder, rape and robbery occur in extremely low numbers in Monroe County, so a difference of just a few crimes can make a big difference in percentage of increase or decrease from year to year.

 

Murder went from 6 in 2017 to 2 in 2018; rape was reported 11 times in 2017 and 11 times again in 2018; 14 robberies were reported in 2017 and 13 in 2018. Aggravated assaults — which happen more frequently — decreased by 14.4% in 2018, going from 160 in 2017 to 137 in 2018.

 

The clearance rate of crimes in 2018 was 38.3%. This has improved over the 2017 rate of 30.8%.

 

For perspective: The Sheriff’s Office has a clearance rate that is 51% higher than the state average. (The state average is 25.3%)

 

This solve rate on crimes has improved steadily over the past few years. In 2012, the clearance rate stood at 24.2%. It has gotten better each year since then.

 

There are two ways to clear a case: by arrest or “Cleared by Exception”, which means an offender has been identified but there is something beyond the agency’s control which keeps that offender from being arrested. An example would be that the offender is dead, extradition from another jurisdiction is denied, or the case involves a juvenile offender who cannot be charged for some reason.

 

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]