Sheriff’s Initiatives Drive Down Crime Rate 48% in Flagler Since 2017

2020 Crime Rate Dropped 18.5% compared to the 2019 Crime Rate – Flagler County’s Lowest Crime Rate in 25 Years

Flagler County, FL – Even during a global pandemic, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) was able to successfully drive down the crime rate in Flagler County again in 2020. Since Sheriff Rick Staly took office in 2017, the crime rate has dropped 48%. In fact, this is the lowest crime rate the county has seen in 25 years when its population was just 40,000 residents.

Watch the 2020 FCSO Year in Review video here: https://youtu.be/nCGXqVWjFpk

The FCSO has submitted the 2020 Uniform Crime Report to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in January 2021. The report shows all data collected for crimes that were reported in 2020 in FCSO’s jurisdiction in Flagler County.

The crime statistics in the primary jurisdiction of the FCSO have again decreased significantly between 2019 and 2020. Total 2020 Index Crimes were down 18.5% from 2019. Domestic Violence Offenses (Murder, Rape, Fondling, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault and Threat/Intimidation) are down 5.6% and property crime (Burglary, Larceny, and Motor Vehicle Theft) was down 25.8%. The clearance rate of reported crime is 37.68%, up from 2019.

“2020 was a rough year for all of us. As much as the pandemic changed things, it did not diminish our resolve to solve crime and protect our citizens,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.

“Crime is down 18.5% and this is a great indicator that our crime-fighting strategies are working! In 2020, we implemented real time crime analytics, the latest technology in our Real Time Crime Center, community and business partnerships, a strong program of educating citizens on how to keep their property safe. Since 2017 we have used a district policing service model, inmate rehabilitation initiatives, probation checks for adults and juveniles, along with our guardianship policing philosophy and much more. All of these initiatives along with an amazing team of dedicated professionals serving our community have made this happen!”

A semi-annual Uniform Crime Report (January – June 2020) was released by FDLE in December 2020 showing a statewide decrease in crime by 11.7%. The preliminary statistics reported to FDLE will be reviewed and verified before being formally distributed and posted on the FDLE website in the near future. FDLE began tracking crime statistics in 1971.