Sunday, November 4, 2007

Crime on the rise in Central Florida


Sunday, November 04, 2007 5:54:12 AM


More crimes are being committed, according to statistics released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.



The latest numbers show between January and June 200, almost every county in Central Florida saw a spike in murders. Flagler and Lake counties held steady at two and three murders apiece, while Volusia County was the only Central Florida county to see a drop in murders.



In addition, Orlando police are reporting seven fewer murders than the year before, even though the Orange County Sheriff's Office reported 14 more murders. Many of the cases are drug-related, police said. The sheriff's office said this is a sign that more and more drug dealers are moving their trade beyond city limits.



"The drug areas within the city and the county are connected but they are dotted by this city limit line,” said Sgt. Spike Hopkins. “It doesn't keep the drug dealers on one side of the fence or the other. They go wherever they need to go to facilitate these crimes and facilitate the murders."



Click here to view statewide crime statistics reported to the FDLE.


No comments: