Tampa Crime Rates See ‘Notable Decline’ Says HCSO
Usually, when a city grows as fast as Tampa has, you’d expect crime rates to surge, but not for Tampa. Sheriff Chad Chronister and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announce Tampa crime rates have made a noticeable change in 2023.
Today, Sherif Chad Chromisters announced that the crime rates in Tampa experienced a “notable decline” since implementing their newest crime-stopping strategies. The crime rate involving people/property decreased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2022, as of December 31, 2023. Aggravated assault, robbery, vehicle theft, and credit card fraud are included in these statistics.
Sheriff Chromister said in a press conference today, “Six years ago, I made a promise to the residents of Hillsborough County to prioritize effective crime prevention strategies. We are committed to being not only tough on crime but also smart on crime. Today, I am thrilled to share that our efforts have yielded remarkable results.”
Why have crime rates declined in Tampa?
HCSO attributes its success to its new approach to proactive policing, cutting-edge technology, and community engagement. The new HCSO Firearms Lab expedites the processing of weapons and bullet casings involved in crimes. This makes it easier and more efficient to apprehend the suspects.
Another way HCSO has been able to curb crime rates in Tampa is through its new Auto Theft Task Force. Since the creation of this task force, they have seen a noticeable decrease in motor vehicle crimes. The clearance rate for these crimes is 33% in Hillsborough County (2023) compared to the national average of 9.2%.
HCSO deputies increased their community engagement in 2023 through programs such as Walk It Talk It. Deputies actively engage with the community and gain knowledge of the dynamics within the community to help build out crime prevention strategies.
To learn more about what HCSO is doing to lower crime rates, you can view the full briefing here.
[Source: teamhcso.com]
