The recent release of the 2016 crime statistics revealed that Leon county’s crime rate was once again number one in the state of Florida.
However, a statistic buried in the reams of data that escaped media scrutiny was the fact that Leon county was last in the number of cases cleared. Based on FDLE documentation, the majority of cases are cleared by arrests.
The statistics show that Leon County ranks last in cases cleared with a 16.6 rate per 100 offenses.The state average in 2016 was 24.3.
A look at the trend of arrests in Leon county shows that from 2012 to 2016 the arrest rate has declined 29% while the crime rate has increased by 22% during this same period.
The chart below shows the trends in crime rate and arrest rate from 2012 -2016.
With the recent investments made by the city commission in more patrol officers and the consistent increase in crime over the last four years, it would seem logical that arrests would increase.
However, the number of arrests reached a new low in 2016.
Is this a crime fighting strategy? If so, what is the rationale?
Next TR will look at why arrests are down in Leon county and if there is evidence that shows a correlation between arrests and crime rates.
Leon County: Last Four Years Crime Up 22% and Arrests Down 29% added by Staff on
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let’s see. could there be a connection between the arrest rate going DOWN as the crime rate goes UP?? City officials must be real happy with the hands-off police stance these days.
Visit Tallahassee!!! Forget the high crime rate, look at Cascades Park and the really nice pedestrian bridge.