The population-based major crime rate in the City of Fort Myers increased 7.7% in 2007. In addition, the total number of crimes increased from 3,847 to 4,278.

The increase follows significant downward trend. Between 2000 and 2006 the crime rate plummeted 53.4%. Over the past several years Chief Hilton Daniels has credited the decrease to the hard work of the men and women of the police department and to the COMPSTAT program a proactive approach to fighting crime. COMPSTAT analyzes when and where crime is occurring. The analysis is done a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Police then respond to noticeable trends to both solve and prevent future crime. Daniels says as the department continues the focused crime-fighting efforts fluctuations in the crime rate are expected. “Contributing factors to the increase could include the unstable economy, the rise in population and more commercial businesses within the City of Fort Myers.”

In response to the increase, Operations Major Doug Baker initiated a Violent Crimes Task Force. Major Baker says the unit is enhanced by intelligence information from concerned citizens and informants. “Since January 1st the task force has removed 95 guns from City streets. In addition, crime is down 10% for the first quarter of the year. We hope to be able to maintain this momentum.”

While the start of 2008 is encouraging, Chief Daniels expressed concern about increasing demands for police service from a population that has increased by nearly 20,000 during his tenure. “We will face many challenges over the next several years. We must continue to work together and increase our public safety resources with our city’s growth.”

Documents:

Click here to see Uniform Crime Data (UCR)

Click here to see 2007 Statistics

Click here to see Crime Rate and UCR crime graph