Highlands County Crime: 1998-2007

Since 1998, Highlands County's population has grown from 80,500 to around 99,000.

The crime rate, however, appears to have dropped.

In 1998, the total number of index crimes was 4,497, compared to 3,301 in 2007, according to information from the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

Index crimes are murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, theft, burglary and auto theft.

The aforementioned rates translated to about 5,500 crimes per 100,000 residents in 1998, and around 3,340 for 2007.

In 2002, with the population slightly above 89,000, there were a total of 3,951 index crimes, which equated to 4,437 crimes per 100,000 people.

"You cannot predict trends by picking one low year and one high year over a 10-year period, and comparing the two," Sheriff Susan Benton said in her quarterly report. "Even with major events like Sept. 11 and the year of the four hurricanes in this decade, Highlands County crime rates have consistently decreased with its history."

There were six murders, 54 sex offenses, 132 robberies and 388 aggravated assaults in 1998. Those respective figures were four, 46, 123 and 264 in 2002.

By 2007, Highlands County saw six murders, 34 sex offenses, 65 robberies and 314 aggravated assaults.

Although violent crimes primarily come to mind when thinking about personal safety, property crimes represent the largest of the index categories, according to Benton.

"Every minor theft - drive off from a gas pump and shoplifting - contributes to this category," she said.

Of the 3,362 index crimes in 2006, approximately 2,955 were property crimes. In 2007, there were 2,882. Both numbers were up from the previous two years

In 2004 and 2005, there were a total of 2,837 and 2,786 property crimes, respectively.

Highlands County's population in 2004 was 92,057. It jumped to approximately 93,456 in 2005.

The country's financial status can sometimes act as a variable on crime statistics, specifically crimes against property, according to Benton.

"People tend to do things that they would normally not do when the economy is in crisis," she said Friday.

The sheriff said a spike in thefts the last few years was due to a crime phenomenon called "car fishing," where groups would walk up and down neighborhood streets at night and take items from unlocked cars.

Benton said thieves would make off with computers, wallets, purses, change, radar detectors and GPS navigation systems.

Instead of cars, a few area homes were the target of thieves who found the residences unsecured.

Deputies responded to two delayed burglary calls Monday, according to records from the HCSO. One home was on San Bruno Drive, while the other was on Bream Avenue.

Lt. Kenny Johnson, with the HCSO, said there was no forced entry and both homes had unsecured doors. Items such as flat screen TVs were taken.

Even if the trip is as simple as a quick run to the neighborhood grocery store, Johnson said home owners should always remember to lock their doors.

"They can take a lot of stuff in a couple of hours," Johnson said. "Keep your stuff secured."

Despite the burglary calls, Johnson didn't want to alarm people into thinking crime is on the rise.

It is a sentiment Benton seconded in her report.

"We have crime like all communities do, but we have all done a pretty good job in keeping it in check as we have grown," she said.