NCJ Number
79507
Date Published
1981
Length
282 pages
Annotation
Based on Uniform Crime Reports data submitted by Florida's law enforcement agencies, this report presents and assesses crime statistics (for 1980) relating to all areas of Florida.
Abstract
It covers State offense data, arrest data, narcotic drug seizures and confiscated property, and law enforcement personnel data. The volume of reported Index crimes (both violent and nonviolent) increased 18 percent from 1979. Murder increased 28 percent and robbery, spurred by worsening economic conditions, leaped almost 54 percent. The increase in crime has not been confined to Florida's larger cities. While crime in metropolitan areas has increased 24.1 percent, smaller cities reflect a 16.5 percent increase, suburban incorporated areas reflect a 15.2 percent increase, suburban unincorporated areas show a 19 percent increase, and even rural areas registered a 14.3 percent increase in crime. During this period, the numbers of police officers in the State remained at 1.9 per thousand population despite increasing crime. Moreover, 77 percent of criminal cases filed in circuit court are being disposed of in a nonpunitive manner, 18 percent with adjudication withheld. Only 3.5 percent of these cases are being carried through to guilt or acquittal. Finally, seven police officers were killed in the line of duty during 1980. Tables, maps, graphs, pie charts, a glossary, and an index are included. (Author abstract modified)