The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has released the annual crime report. The statistics are from a reporting period of January 2014 to December 2014.
The report shows an overall decrease of 8.9% in the crime index for Columbia County from the previous year. The unincorporated county area had a 7.5% decrease which can be attributed to a significant decrease in Murders, Aggravated Assaults, Burglaries, Larcenies and Motor Vehicle Thefts in the unincorporated areas.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement bases the Crime Index off nine (9) vital statistic crimes:
Homicide
Burglary
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sexual Offenses
Aggravated Assault
Larceny
Arson
Human Trafficking
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office achieved an agency case clearance rate of 43.7% for 2014. The statewide average clearance rate was 26.1%. For the past six years, the Sheriff’s Office has maintained a 39% clearance rate that is well above the state average of 24.8% for the same time.
Sheriff Mark Hunter said “These impressive numbers are the direct result of the dedication and hard work of all CCSO personnel coupled with an effective community partnership.”
Crime Rate is Down in Columbia County
