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."

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]

It's always interesting to see which cities are considered safe and dangerous in the US. It can also be helpful if you're planning a big move. Now, there's a new study out that pinpoints the most dangerous cities in America.

The new study comes from Noradarealestate.com. In it, they say, "From gang violence to high levels of property crime, these cities have earned their spots on the list." Yikes.

Before we get to the crime in each region of the country, let's look at some of the No. 1s in this study. According to Noradarealestate.com, the "FBI's most dangerous city" in the West is Stockton, California. In the Midwest, it's St. Louis, Missouri. Then, in the South, it's Baltimore, Maryland; and in the Northeast, it's Hartford, Connecticut. Noradarealestate.com notes that even though these cities are dangerous in the report, "each of these cities has also demonstrated resilience and a commitment to addressing these issues through various initiatives and collaborative efforts. By focusing on community engagement, comprehensive strategies, and investment in socio-economic development, these cities can work towards creating safer, more inclusive, and prosperous communities for all residents." So, it's not all dismal. There is definitely hope.

So, what's the most dangerous city in America? Detroit. "The violent crime index, encompassing homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults, is alarmingly high," the study states. "The prevalence of guns and gang activity further exacerbates the issue, making Detroit a concerning place in terms of personal safety." That said, I love Detroit, and even though it's good to see which cities are trending up and down in terms of crime, remember that every city has its good and bad areas. So, don't write these towns off your list because of one study. Find the full study from Noradarealestate.com here.

Check out the most dangerous cities in America by region below, via the latest FBI data.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Stockton, California, with a population of 308,348. Other cities in the top five include San Bernardino, California; Oakland, California; Anchorage, Alaska; and Pueblo, Colorado. Find the full FBI data here.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Baltimore, Maryland. Other cities in the top five include Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Nashville, Tennessee; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Find the full FBI data here.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is St. Louis, Missouri. Other cities in the top five include Kansas City, Missouri; Rockford, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find the full FBI data here.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Hartford, Connecticut. Other cities in the top five include Buffalo, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rochester, New York; and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Find the full FBI data here.