Crime is down in Key West!

Information provided by the Key West Police Department:

Analysis of the crime statistics for the first half of 2013 have been tallied, and Key West is showing improvements over the same period of time in 2012. According to the Key West Police Department’s report to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, overall crime is down by nearly 9 percent for the first six months of 2013.

Burglaries dropped by 18.5 percent and thefts from car were down by a full 41 percent.

Police Chief Donie Lee was pleased to see that some areas of concern showed improvement, especially robberies, which dropped by 23 percent when compared to the first six months of 2012.

“I’m especially grateful to our crime prevention partnership with the community,” said Chief Lee. “Working together, we may see our efforts paying off.”

While acknowledging there is always a random element in statistics, especially a six-month compilation, Chief Lee notes that working with the community is vital to a strong and safe city. The Department’s Crime Prevention Unit is always available to talk with civic groups, clubs or individuals to help make homes and vehicles safer from potential thieves.

The number of unlawful entries into structures dropped from 88 in the first half of 2012 to 60 in the first six months of 2013. Thefts from vehicles went from 82 incidents in the first half of 2012 to 48 for the first half of 2013. Residents and visitors may be boosting these statistics by remembering to lock their homes and cars.

Robberies on Key West streets dropped by over 50 percent, from 20 in 2012 to 9 in 2013.

“One is too many,” said Lee, “but with the continued diligence and dedication of our officers and a partnership with the community, we hope to continue making this a safe and enjoyable community for our residents and visitors.”