In 2021, the United States only saw a marginal decrease in violent and overall crime rates.
While concerns about crime waves in Democratic big cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York dominated headlines, crime rates remained static throughout most of the country.
In Florida, however, crime rates decreased dramatically by almost 10 percent, according to the state’s annual crime report.
REPORT: Overall Florida crime decreased in 2021 by 9.5%, further contradicting Charlie Crist's gubernatorial debate claim that "crime is up" under Gov. Ron DeSantis
By use of a firearm:
– Murders down 13.9%
– Robberies down 23%
– Assaults down 5.4%— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) December 5, 2022
While violent crime decreased by slightly less, 8.8 percent, it still decreased nearly nine times more than the national average, which was only 1 percent, according to FBI data.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody have supported law enforcement officers in the state, with both DeSantis and Moody making it a crucial part of their re-election platform in the midterms.
In late November, Moody warned criminals and reassured Florida law enforcement officers that the state had their backs.
“It’s very simple in Florida. We respect our cops; we give them the tools they need. And we will say, Florida nation, be aware if you move here, Florida is a law and order state, so if you’re a criminal and you’re residing in Florida, you may want to get out.”
Thank you for your continued support, Sheriff Tate! pic.twitter.com/zM3swel7W8
— Ashley Moody (@AshleyMoodyFL) March 29, 2022
DeSantis also prioritized funding law enforcement, getting them bonuses and pay raises to retain officers and attract talent to Florida.
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“Proud to stand for law and order by prohibiting the defunding of law enforcement and providing $1,000 bonuses to all sworn law enforcement officers in Florida,” DeSantis said in July.
It was an honor to attend the Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference. Proud to stand for law and order by prohibiting the defunding of law enforcement and providing $1,000 bonuses to all sworn law enforcement officers in Florida. pic.twitter.com/khdXtuudkA
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 27, 2022
DeSantis announced in March that he would be handing out $1,000 to Florida first responders in law enforcement and in other professions, such as paramedics and EMTs.
“Whether it’s a sheriff’s department and sheriff’s deputies, whether it’s a municipal police department, fire, paramedics, EMTs, you name it, you’re eligible.”
“We’re proud to be able to stand with our great first responders in the state of Florida,” he said.
Last year, DeSantis floated giving newly employed law enforcement officers a $5,000 bonus to attract more people to the profession. In October, he signed the program into law and handed out the first bonus checks to officers in Cape Coral.
NEW: Gov. DeSantis delivers the first batch of $5,000 bonuses to six Cape Coral law enforcement officers.
It's part of the state's new bonus program for people jumping into the law enforcement career. It also gives bonuses to law enforcement moving to Florida.
— Lydia Nusbaum (@LydiaNusbaum) October 14, 2022
Summarizing his pro-law enforcement position that has seen Florida’s crime rates dramatically decline over the last year, DeSantis said that the state would “put its money where its mouth is” to support police officers.
“You know, we’re not just talking in Florida–we’re putting our money where our mouth is. We’re stepping up to the plate, and doing things legislatively that are making a huge, huge difference.”
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