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Where crime rates have increased and decreased along the First Coast

Union County saw the most dramatic drop in crime with a 30% decrease.

Crime fell across Florida by seven percent between 2017 and 2018. The First Coast saw crime drop in six counties and increase in three others in that same time span. 

The counties that saw an increase in crime were Clay (+7.7%), Nassau (+8.4%), and Putnam (+10.2%). 

The counties where crime decreased were Baker (-9.2%), Bradford (-0.4%), Columbia (-8.9%), Duval (-5.1%), St. Johns (-11.8%), and Union County (-30.1%). 

“The fall of overall crime rates in 2018 is great news for all Floridians, but there’s still more work to be done,” Governor Ron DeSantis said. “I recently met with Florida’s leading law enforcement officials to provide an update on the progress of the state’s threat assessment strategy, which I initiated in February in a request to FDLE Commissioner Swearingen. We must do everything we can to protect our citizens and visitors from senseless acts of targeted violence. My administration will continue to stand with our law enforcement personnel and move forward on key policies to protect our residents and keep our communities safe.”

“Florida’s low crime rate is no accident. It is the result of hard work by our deputies, with the support from Florida’s strong public safety laws,” President of the Florida Sheriffs Association and Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter said. 

This is the 48th consecutive year Florida has seen a drop in its crime rate. 

“A major reason we enjoy a 48-year low in the crime rate today is because criminals are serving the time they deserve and not creating more crime victims by receiving a ‘get out of jail free’ card. Florida’s ‘Truth in Sentencing’ laws have once again contributed to keeping our residents and visitors of the Sunshine State safe," Hunter said.

To read the full report, click here. 

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