The Uniform Crime Reports Program of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has released the 2007 Annual Statewide Crime Report. Once again, Escambia County is the Murder Capitol of Northwest Florida (20 – up from 11 in 2006), although Bay County is closing in with 8 murders (up from 5).
Santa Rosa County saw a 70% increase in Forced Rapes from 31 to 53 reported. Okaloosa saw its Crime Rate per 100,000 people jump 4% (3137.50 to 3254.80). Walton saw it increase 25% from 1860.70 to 2326. Bay, Escambia and Santa Rosa experienced overall crime rate decreases.
The biggest trouble spots for Escambia County appear to be murder – up 81% and Robbery up 19%.
Santa Rosa: Forced Rape – up 70%
Okaloosa: Robbery – up 36%
Walton: Burglary – up 39% and Larceny – up 32%
Bay: Murder – up 60%
Here is my spreadsheet on the report: 2007co_crime.pdf
Here is the entire report: cnty_annual07.pdf