LTC 048-2007 Crime Statistics Annual UCR Part I Crimes Reported for 2006
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MIAMI BEACH
RECEIVED
ZOOl FEB 26 AM 9: 56
CITY ClEHK'S OFF ICE
. .
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 048-2007
LETTER TO COMMISSION
DATE:
Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager 1 ~
February 22,2007 0" 0
CRIME STATISTICS ANNUAL UCR PART I CRIMES REPORTED FOR 2006
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
This Letter to the Commission is to inform the Mayor and City Commission on the Uniform
Crime Report (UCR) statistics for Part I Crimes as indexed annually, forcalendaryear2006.
Part I Crimes include Homicide, Forcible Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary,
Larceny and Motor Vehicle Thefts.
Overall, Part I Crimes decreased by 6.42% in 2006 from 2005. This follows a consistent
dramatic overall decline in Part I Crimes since 2000 of 29.8%. More importantly, Violent
Crime perpetrated in the City of Miami Beach was down by 5% from 2005. This is
particularly significant, since Violent Crime in the State of Florida for the first six months of
2006 increased. Also significant, was the decrease in Robberies by 16.12%. Although
Rapes increased by 34.64%, the majority of these incidents or (62%), the offender was
either known or an acquaintance of the victim. To address this problem, the Victims
Advocate Section of the Criminal Investigations Division conducted community outreach
awareness and education particularly directed at women, during the Spring Break period of
March to April 2006. This involved Victims Advocate Section personnel responding to
various establishments in the Entertainment District and talking to women about date rape
prevention and drugs used to coax women to have unwanted sex.
The followina are the Part I UCR statistics bv tvoe of crime comoarison:
Type of Crime Number of Incidents in Comparison from 2005 to
2006 2006
Homicide 4 increased 33.33%
Raoe 81 increased 30.64%
Robberv 432 decreased 16.12%
Aaaravated Assault 598 increased .84%
Buralarv 1,372 decreased 6.22%
Larceny 5,357 decreased 5.70%
Auto Theft 853 decreased 12.69%
This decline in UCR Part I crimes is attributed to the partnership the Miami Beach Police
Department has developed with the community, along with the proactive approach to
problem solving and community-oriented policing. This crime fighting philosophy was
evidence with the 26.59% increase in arrests from 10,180 in 2005 to 12,887 in 2006. The
increase in arrests significantly impacted the overall decline in crime.
In keeping with our commitment toward making the City of Miami Beach a safer place to live,
work, play, and visit, as well as maintain the crime rate at or below national levels, the
following are some of the crime fighting and safety initiatives that contributed to our efforts.
. ,
. Increasing the number of personnel on the Patrol Division's Fourth Shift and
deploying them on high visibility bicycle patrol has been an effective crime deterrent
in the Entertainment District.
. Patrol Division staffed a day shift Crime Suppression Team on a temporary basis
which proved to be a successful crime fighting tool for curbing crimes committed in
residential neighborhoods.
. Development and implementation of a computerized "Cold Case" violent crimes data
base, administered by the Violent Crimes Section of the Criminal Investigations Unit,
to facilitate the tracking of tip information for major case investigations.
. In an effort to increase the recovery of stolen property and facilitate the
apprehension of property crimes offenders, the Criminal Investigations Unit, Property
Crimes Section, dedicated a detective full time to a Pawn Shop Detail.
. Nearly 100% of the sworn personnel have attended Quality of Life training by our
Training Unit. Quality of Life training consists of code compliance issues, Homeless
Outreach, illegal dumping and derelict vehicles.
. There was an 8% increase in arrests in the RDA City Center from 2005 to 2006 due
to the increase in staffing during peak hours.
. There was an average decrease of 11 % of UCR Part I crimes occurring in RDA City
Center from 2005 to 2006.
. Community contacts by our Police Officers and Public Safety Specialists have
provided an additional forum to identify crime and public safety issues as well
increase interaction with residents and business owners.
. There was a 6% decrease in motor vehicle crashes from 2005 (5,595) to 2006
(5,279). This is a direct result of the selective traffic enforcement by the motorcycle
officers of flagrant violations by aggressive drivers and the concerted effort by police
officers enforcing traffic violations at major intersections.
. In addition, to further relieve traffic congestion, our motorcycle officers will be working
with Parking Department Enforcement Officers to cite drivers of vehicles that block
roadways when making deliveries.
In addition, during the last quarter of 2006, the Miami Beach Police Department developed
and implemented "Crime Solutions", a new comprehensive crime fighting program that
stresses accountability from the ranks of Police Officers on the street to all concerned
command levels. This program takes a methodical approach to identifying crime trends and
strategies for intervention utilizing all the available resources of the Police Department. On a
bi-monthly basis, command level officers working with first line supervisors and crime
analysts, identify crime trends by focusing on specific information including times. days of
the week and method of operation of the offender. This process culminates with Police
Captains making presentations to department command staff and other personnel as to how
they are mitigating the problem.
In furthering our commitment to reduce crime and facilitate a safer community, the Miami
Beach Police Department will continue to be innovative and deploy personnel and resources
as effectively as possible throughout the City.
JMG/DWD/CN/MG
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