Crime Rate Continues to Decline
Strategic Efforts to Address Crime Producing Results
September 12, 2018
Tallahassee Police Department data recently submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reflects a 24 percent decrease in violent crime and an 8 percent decrease in property crime during the first six months of 2018. Overall crime in Tallahassee is down 10 percent, which marks the second consecutive year the percentage has dropped by double-digits, year over year.
The same statistics reported to FDLE also showed an improvement in TPD's "clearance rate," which refers to cases solved or closed. TPD's 2018 clearance rate has increased to 21.2 percent versus 16.1 percent in 2017.
These statistics take into account crimes reported between January and June of this year compared with the same time frame from 2017.
During today's Public Safety Update at the City Commission meeting, TPD Chief Michael DeLeo credited the drop in overall crime to several strategies implemented by the Police Department in recent history, including the hiring of new officers, the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Task Force, diverse communication channels, enhanced neighborhood partnerships and through programs like TEMPO, Operation Safe Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Public Safety Initiative.
"These collective accomplishments have helped the community reach its lowest crime rate since 2013 and has us trending toward our lowest crime rate in 20 years," said TPD Chief Michael DeLeo. "Through strong partnerships and a continued focus on community policing, we remain committed to reducing crime in Tallahassee."
TPD's efforts have garnered positive attention and recognition. Recently, TPD was one of four agencies selected by the International Association for Chiefs of Police to receive the 2018 Leadership in Community Policing Award. The award identifies and rewards best practices in community policing by recognizing police organizations that use the power of collaboration and partnerships to make communities safer.
To continue its support for TPD and its mission to reduce crime in Tallahassee, the City Commission voted earlier this year to build a new Public Safety Campus, which would serve as a community resource and the department's new headquarters. The new Public Safety Campus, which is slated to be constructed on the Southside along the South Monroe Street and Orange Avenue corridor, would include community and recreational spaces, regional training facilities and public safety educational services to help officers connect with residents.
For more information about public safety, visit Talgov.com. To stay connected with TPD, like its Facebook page and follow @TallyPD on Twitter and Instagram.
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