Even though Fort Lauderdale is still a favorite among visitors and offers its residents a high quality of life and pleasant weather year-round, there is a measurable increase in crime in the area supported by the following statistics. If you have been accused of any type of crime in Fort Lauderdale, criminal defense lawyer – Stroleny recommends you hire expert legal representation to help you fight for your rights.
Key Fort Lauderdale Crime Statistics
Here are some of the most salient statistics when it comes to recent crimes in the Fort Lauderdale area:
- Year-over-year crime has decreased by 13%.
- Crime rates in the area are still 104% higher than the national average.
- It is safer than 8% of cities in the United States.
- Violent crimes are 62% higher than the national average.
- You have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming the victim of crime in Fort Lauderdale.
A survey conducted among citizens of the area found these results:
How Would You Rate the Amount of Crime in Fort Lauderdale?
50% of respondents believe that there is virtually no crime in the area or that there is little crime, while 31% believe that crime is rampant.
Do You Feel Safe at Night When Walking Alone in Fort Lauderdale?
54% of respondents feel either extremely safe or fairly safe when walking alone at night in most areas, but 19% say they are not safe at all and would never walk alone at night in the area.
Most Common Types of Criminal Offenses in Fort Lauderdale
Violent Crimes
- Homicide
- Forcible sex offenses
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
Property Crimes
- Business burglary
- Conveyance burglary
- Residential burglary
- Larceny
- Vehicle theft
- Arson
Is Fort Lauderdale Considered to Be a Safe City?
Statistics show that the crime rate in Fort Lauderdale is much higher than in the average American city, placing the area within the first percentile for safety. This means that 99% of cities in the United States are considered safer than Fort Lauderdale, and only 1% is more dangerous. These statistics apply only to the area within the city’s proper boundaries.
The crime rate stands at 240.86 crimes per every thousand residents. The southwest area of the city is classified as the safest.
If you live in the city or are visiting it, your chance of being a victim of crime may be quite high in the northwestern neighborhoods and relatively low in the southwest part of the city.
Interpreting These Statistics
If you study the map of the city of Fort Lauderdale, when you look at the above statistics, you need to keep in mind that some numbers may appear inflated, perhaps because there are more retail establishments in those areas than in other parts of the city. Crimes are much more prevalent in commercial areas compared to residential areas.
Other areas where crime may be found can be places where many people gather, such as schools, parks, and airports. Statistics regarding Fort Lauderdale’s two major airports show them as being high-crime locations simply because they are places where a high number of people congregate compared to the number of people who live nearby. The same situation applies to parks that attract high numbers of visitors that are not a reflection of the number of people who live in the area.
It seems as though crime tends to concentrate in locations where there are large numbers of people gathering rather than in residential areas that are much more sparsely populated. Before concluding that Fort Lauderdale is a high-crime area, it may be worth understanding the nuances of these statistics.