Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey have announced that crime in Florida is down 4.8 percent for the first half of 2010 over the same period last year. The figure is part of the 2010 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report, which was released today, providing a preliminary indication of this year’s crime figures. Total violent crime (murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault) is down by 10.7 percent for the first six months of the year while total non-violent crime (burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) declined 3.8 percent.
To help address a 5.8 percent increase in domestic violence murder, and in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Florida, Governor Crist also announced a pilot project in Manatee and Sarasota counties aimed at helping survivors of domestic violence connect with employment opportunities and maintain self-sufficiency.
“By assisting survivors of domestic violence who need help finding work, we can help prevent individuals from feeling financially trapped in an abusive relationship,” said Governor Crist. “I commend Florida ’s law enforcement agencies for their commitment and dedication to keeping Floridians and visitors to our state safe. We must never forget that each crime represents at least one victim, and we must continue to be ever vigilant to do all we can to keep our communities and neighborhoods secure.”
Commissioner Bailey was joined at the Capitol by Leisa Wiseman of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo of the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. Workforce Florida Inc. is providing the $500,000 grant and working in partnership with AWI and Suncoast Workforce, which serves job seekers in Sarasota and Manatee counties, to develop and implement the pilot project.
“The first six months of the year typically provide a good picture of where we are going the rest of the year, and the fact that we had 19,000 fewer crimes is a positive sign,” said Commissioner Bailey. “The men and women in law enforcement are working hard across our state.”
The Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report showed a 6.1 percent decrease in the number of forcible sex offenses, a 17.1 percent decrease in robberies, an 8.9 percent decrease in aggravated assault, a 5.5 percent decrease in burglary, a 1.7 percent decrease in larceny, and a 17.3 percent decrease in motor vehicle thefts. The number of murders increased 3.6 percent. Domestic violence offenses declined 2.4 percent.
Have you been charged with a crime in Sarasota County? Whether your arrest occurred in North Port, Venice, Englewood, Fruitville, Longboat Key or elsewhere in the county we can help you. Contact a Florida criminal defense attorney at our firm today for your free and confidential consultation.
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