Crime Trends Crime and punishment are two of Florida’s most politically salient issues.
In 1995, According the FBI, "Florida ranked 2nd highest in Uniform Crimes per 100,000."
(Source: Federal Bureau of investigation, Uniform Crime Reports, October 1996.)
In 1995, According the FBI, "Florida ranked 2nd highest in Uniform Crimes per 100,000."
(Source: Federal Bureau of investigation, Uniform Crime Reports, October 1996.)
In 1995, "Florida had more Violent Crimes per 100,000 than any other state." (Source: Federal Bureau of investigation, Uniform Crime Reports, October 1996. Click on the link to view the FBI's UCR website.
Click on the picture of the handcuffs below to go to FDLE’s Florida Statistical Analysis Center.
To view the index crime trends report on FDLE’s website, click on the picture of the sheriff's car below.
To view the index crime trends report on FDLE’s website, click on the picture of the sheriff's car below.
Since then, following the trend of the rest of the country, Florida has made significant progress in lowering its crime rates. At the same time, Florida has shown a significant decrease in violent crime.
Violent crimes include: Murder, Forcible Sex Offenses, Robbery and Aggravated Assault. Click on the graph to view a report on Florida's violent crimes.
Law Enforcement
The head law enforcement officer in Florida is the Attorney General. Currently, Bill McCollum is Florida's 36th Attorney General. Click on the emblem to view the Attorney General’s website.
Law enforcement operates on several levels in the State of Florida:
- State Agencies
- County level agencies
- Local level agencies (police departments):
Others not listed above include agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Department of Environmental Protection. These agencies are a significant part in Florida’s law enforcement community. Click on any of the links above to visit these agencies’ websites.
Corrections
"I believe in capital punishment as long as it’s not too severe." (Actual quote from Florida House debate, taken from the House Journalas cited in Dye; Politics in Florida)
A logical byproduct of reducing crime is a high rate of incarceration. However, other factors such as mandatory sentencing legislation have made Florida’s prisons a more crowded place.
In 1996, Florida incarcerated 448 prisoners per 100,000 persons, the 10th highest in the country. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Prison and Jail Inmates, 1996)
Florida ranks 3rd in the number of inmates on death row. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Capital Punishment, 1996)
