Crime is down overall in the state of Florida, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement statistics for the first half of this year.
While crime may be down across the state, Contact 5 found it’s not down in Okeechobee County.
Crime increased 9 percent during the first six months of 2018 in Okeechobee County, compared to the same time frame last year.
(See how your county compares in the map below.)
According to FDLE data, this is the second year in a row that crime increased overall in Okeechobee County.
The same data shows crime decreased for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.This is the second year crime decreased for Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, according to FDLE.
Over the next few days, Contact 5 is going to take a closer look at these statistics, bringing you stories beyond the data.
We’ll take a look at violent crimes and property crimes, and spotlight different areas in our communities. We’ll update this story and others as we learn more.
If the maps below do not load, click this link for all Florida counties, click this link for 2016-2017 rates in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, and this link for 2017-2018 rates in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
