The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has released the semi-annual crime statistics for the period of January 1 – June 30, 2012. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement compiles reported crime data from law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Florida. The FDLE utilizes seven (7) vital statistic crimes to compile the statistics.

Those seven vital statistic crimes are: 

Murder

Forcible Sex Offenses

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

Burglary

Larceny

Motor Vehicle Theft 

For the reporting period of January – June 2012, unincorporated Columbia County saw a decrease in the crime rate and an increase in the solve rate of crimes. The overall crime rate, based on the seven vital statistic crimes, declined 10.4%. Additionally, the crime solve rate increased to 49.3%. 

2011 – 2012 Comparison: 

2011 (Jan-June)                                  2012 (Jan-June)

Crime Rate: +20.4                               Crime Rate: -10.4%

Crime Solve Rate: 37.1%                    Crime Solve Rate: 49.3% (State average is 24.6%) 

Numerous factors can be attributed to the decrease in the crime rate and the increase in the crime solve rate. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is proud that our citizens have continued to partner with the Sheriff’s Office to not only report crime but to be proactive in the solving of crimes. 

Sheriff Mark Hunter says, “I am very proud of all of the employees of the Sheriff’s Office. They have worked extremely hard over the last year and their commitment to our community has had a positive result”. 

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will continue to evaluate and utilize new technologies and procedures to make our duties more efficient, which, will translate to better customer service for our citizens and visitors. Sheriff Mark Hunter and his command staff continually evaluate the various divisions of the Sheriff’s Office and have had great success with placing personnel in the right positions to best utilize their talents.