In this article we are going to list the 5 most dangerous cities in Florida. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list please take a look at the 15 most dangerous cities in Florida.
5. Tallahassee
Total violent crimes in 2019: 1,359
Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 697
Tallahassee was host to survivors of crime and families of murder victims in a bit to advocate and campaign for better support policies. While crimes are a major issue, there should also be a significant focus on support provided to families of the victims and survivors of crime, and in a study in 2018 by the Alliance for Safety and Justice, 67% of such victims described their experience as traumatic.
4. St. Petersburg
Total violent crimes in 2019: 1,594
Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 595
Some of the crimes in St. Petersburg include a father who stabbed his partner over a hundred times before drowning his two-year old son and throwing his body to alligators. The police are now working to change a rule based on this crime where the boy’s family required his permission before burying the toddler. However, this is an outlier and overall, homicide in the city has fallen dramatically as has violent crime, even though car thefts are rising. However, this decline of 43% in violent crime follows one of the worst years on record for the city which is why it will take some time to fall off our list.
3. Orlando
Total violent crimes in 2019: 2,157
Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 738
Orlando is another incredibly popular destination not just in the state but in the entire country, and yet, is still also among the most dangerous cities in Florida. The biggest attraction in the city is Walt Disney World, while Universal Orlando is home to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, in addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Recently, the Orlando police chief addressed efforts that are taking place to reduce crime in the city and stated that violent crime in the city is continuing to decline, and wanted tougher penalties for youths involved in gang crimes. Commissioners in the city have voted to apply for a grant of $2.25 million which is aimed at reducing crime.
2. Miami
Total violent crimes in 2019: 2,850
Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 593
Miami is one of the most popular destinations in Florida, known for its numerous beaches and is a particularly attractive place for retirees. In March 2023, five people were killed in a murder-suicide via gunshot wounds. While Miami is still one of the top travel destinations in the country, it needs to improve crime levels in the city. While violent crimes are high in the city, property crimes are even worse. However, Miami is another city where homicides have fallen, and according to the Miami Herald, the last two years saw just 97 homicides in total, a low not seen in the city since 1964, when the population was just below 100,000. While homicides are falling, violent crime is increasing as overall crime registered a 5% increase.
1. Jacksonville
Total violent crimes in 2019: 5,886
Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 647
Easily topping the list of the 25 most dangerous cities in Florida is Jacksonville, Florida. While the city, with a population of over 900,000, understandably had a high ranking in terms of absolute number of crimes, it also took a lead in crimes per capita. Recently, three white men in the city were arrested in connection with the murder of a black man, and are likely to have hate crime charges added against them. Meanwhile, MAD DADS, founded two decades ago by Donald Foy, continues its anti-crime crusade. The group was created after a woman and her two nephews were gunned down in the city in 2003 in a case of mistaken identity. However, according to News4Jax, crime has declined sharply in the city in 2021 as compared to 2021, with homicides dropping 28% and the number of people shot falling by 22%. If this continues, it is likely that Jacksonville will soon not be the most dangerous city in the state of Florida.
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