Florida's crime rate drops by 9% even as rapes, murders increase

45,154 fewer reported offenses reported compared to 2017

MIAMI – Florida's overall crime rate last year dropped by 9% from the previous year, although murders and rapes increased.

The most serious crimes -- including robbery and aggravated assault -- decreased by 7.4% from the previous year, according to the 2018 Annual Uniform Crime Report, which was released Monday.

The report showed 45,154 fewer reported offenses in 2018 compared to 2017.

Murder offenses rose by 50 homicides, a 4.7 percent increase, but that includes the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre on Valentine's Day in 2018.

Rape offenses also saw a 6.3% increase.

The report shows that nearly $1.3 billion of property value was stolen. Around $420 million was recovered.

The report is published by the FBI. In Florida, 393 law enforcement agencies contributed data to the report.

Click here to read the report in its entirety.


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