Crime Dropping In 1st Half of 5th Consecutive Year
The 2012 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR) from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office reflects a continuation of the downward trend in committed crimes for Lee County. In fact, non-violent crimes have been significantly reduced by 13 percent, while violent crimes fell one percent. The mid-year report shows an overall drop of 663 crimes, an 11.77 percent decline.
The biggest dips in this reporting period are in the property crime categories of residential and business burglaries and thefts. Thefts, referenced as larceny in the six-month UCR, went from 3,152 last year to 2,722 this year (-430), while residential burglaries plunged from 1,445 to 1,184 (-261) and business burglaries from 213 to 152 (-61). “As 2011 came to a close, while overall crime was down, those categories previously reflected increases,” said Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott. “This is excellent news showing initiatives such as the scrap metal ordinance and the hard work of deputies and detectives on the street is working.”
Robberies led an overall reduction in violent crimes, descending from 169 to 150 (19 fewer cases). The most notable increase of all crimes was in the auto theft classification which went from 219 last year to 312 this year. Also, there is a jump in homicides from 5 to 11 county-wide which, coupled with unrelated cases reported in the Dunbar area of Fort Myers, has been widely publicized in recent weeks. Sheriff Scott says, “Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker and I are committed to working together to aggressively turn the tide to the senseless violence promoted by a select few within our community. I am very grateful for the support of community leaders and residents who want those responsible removed from the streets and held accountable for the danger they pose.”
The Sheriff’s Office has primary jurisdiction for the unincorporated areas of Lee County, as well as the cities of Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach, but have county-wide arrest powers. Other county-wide services under the charge of the Sheriff include the operation of two correctional facilities, court operations and service of criminal warrants, civil court orders and much more. “We’ve been asked to do more with less funding for as many years as the crime has decreased,” said Sheriff Scott. “I recognize even one crime is too many. To that end, all of us with the Sheriff’s Office remain focused and committed to keeping crime down and enhancing the safety and security of our citizens, visitors and friends.”