Definition: Rate of index crimes (murder, robber, forcible sex offenses, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, or motor vehicle theft) per 100,000 population

Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Total Index Crime

2025 Target: 2,342.61 per 100,000

Below is a comparison of the value for this indicator among seven coastal counties: Charlotte, Sarasota, Collier, Lee, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. These counties have been recommended as comparable counties by Sarasota County Government.

Crime Rate per 100,000 Population

In 2016, the crime rate in Sarasota County was 2,275 per 100,000 population. This is a decrease of 40% since 2007. Sarasota County has a lower crime rate than the state of Florida, with a difference of 906.5 arrests per 100,000 population. Crime rates have been decreasing locally, nationally, and internationally for the last couple of decades.

Crime rates are influenced by factors such as economic conditions, population changes, unemployment, and poverty. They can also be influenced by seasonal and environmental factors. While there is no simple explanation of the reduction in the crime rate, the strategic use of technology and other crime prevention tools may be part of the equation. Since 2009 the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has utilized technology to monitor and respond to crime. This initiative is known as Intelligence 2 Action. This initiative includes crime trends, daily crime analysis, and identification of prolific offenders. Initiatives within the City of Sarasota Police Department include community based policing and strategies developed in High Point, North Carolina.

The falling crime rate reduces strain on the judicial system while providing a gauge of overall community safety. In a report released by the Center for American Progress, eight American cities were studied to evaluate the cost of crime. It was found that crime causes loss of income for those incarcerated, and increased medical bills for victims of violent crimes, thus increasing the burden on an already strained medical system and increased strain on the judicial system. The direct cost of crime ranged upwards of $200 million in Jacksonville to $1.1 billion in Chicago.