Florida Department of Law Enforcement released its 2014 Annual Crime in Florida report today. The report shows Florida’s crime rate dropped 4.9 percent compared to 2013.
The total number of crimes fell 3.6 percent from last year which translates into 25,476 fewer crimes than in 2013. Overall the number of violent crimes dropped 0.7 percent while nonviolent crime fell 4.1 percent. Murder and sex offenses were up slightly while robbery and burglary fell.
The number of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty increased in 2014 to six deaths. Four officers died after being shot and two were killed by vehicles.
Overall, domestic violence offenses were down 1 percent from 2013. Domestic violence murders were up 24 deaths last year while domestic violence manslaughter was down five deaths.
396 of Florida’s 402 law enforcement agencies participated in the 2014 Uniform Crime Report representing 99.7 percent of the state’s population.
The complete 2014 Annual Uniform Crime Report, including county-by-county breakdowns, can be found on FDLE’s website.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office saw its total number of crimes drop 9.6 percent, which was slightly better than the Pensacola Police Department, at 8 percent.
Overall in Escambia County, all criminal offenses were down, except for forcible rape that jumped from 164 in 2013 to 181 last year.
| 2013 | 2014 | |
| Total Crime Index | 15,914 | 14,468 |
| Change | -9.1 | |
| Murder | 26 | 21 |
| Forcible Rape | 164 | 181 |
| Robbery | 439 | 388 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,551 | 1,550 |
| Burglary | 3,264 | 2,818 |
| Larceny | 9702 | 8850 |
| Vehicle Theft | 765 | 660 |
| Crime rate | 5,284.90 | 4,760.70 |
| Change | -9.9 |