Hillsborough County Crime Reportedly Down 5th Year in a Row

The following report was submitted by Larry McKinnon, public information officer for the Hillsboroguh County Sheriff's Office.

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Deputies Making Hillsborough County Safer With 15.5 Percent Drop In Crime

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is proud to let you know that our
deputies are making a difference in the quality of life in our county. For the
fifth straight year, deputies have reduced overall crime.

Compared to 2010, crime has been reduced 15.5 percent.

With a population in unincorporated Hillsborough County of 834,224 residents, the number of victims of violent crimes decreased from 3,136 in 2010 to 2,130 last year. That equals 2.5 victims of violent crime per 1,000
residents, down from 3.9 the year before.

This violent crime rate is the lowest violent crime rate since recording started in 1985.

And consider this: there are 1.5 deputies per 1,000 residents in Hillsborough County. That is lower than the national average for law enforcement agencies, of 2.5 officers per capita.

While Hillsborough County's population grows, the number of deputies on the street has not. That means the men and women of the sheriff's office are working harder and working smarter to reduce crime.

We did it with dedication and commitment and the efforts of our community
partners, such as Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, Crime Stoppers and Citizen Patrol. Your eyes and ears let us know about suspicious activity and persons.

You reacted, and we acted.

But we also redefined how we battle crime, from being less reactive to being
more proactive.

In 2009, we instituted Intelligence-Led Policing, a model focused on the small percentage of people who commit crimes, for which we develop tactical methods to monitor, catch and jail them.

It is working.

Our strategic Law enforcement Intelligence Nexus Center, or LINC, is the hub. Our detectives and crime analysts sift through criminal intelligence and then relay information to supervisors who craft decisions based on the best use of resources and devise plans of action to keep our communities safe.

We thank everyone who helps us make Hillsborough County safer.