LEON COUNTY, Fla. — Crime in Leon County is down compared to last year. Great news for sure until you hear murders are up.
We're digging into what the state's crime report says about your community and what's being done to keep crime down.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's crime report breaks down the numbers for the first six months of this month compared to 2019.
There's a 12.4 percent drop in crimes across the board like burglary, robbery and larceny. But there was an increase in murders - six in the first six months of 2018 compared with 11 in 2019.
First, let's dive into why Leon County is seeing less crime. One reason says Deputy Dave Teems of the Leon County Sheriff's Office, finding out what's driving the crime and addressing those issues.
So instead of just putting people in detention facilities, LCSO is offering more.
"While you are there - we are going to give you the opportunity as part of All In Leon. If you need your GED, if you would like a skill for when you get out, so you don't feel like you have to go out and commit a crime to get money, we're going to address those as much as we possibly can," said Teems.
LCSO programs partners with other law enforcement agencies and community partners on things like Back on Track, FarmShare and Cease Fire, all working within community to lower crime.
The rise in murders is a disturbing trend. As of Monday the number of homicides is up to 25 so far this year in Leon County.
Officer Damon Miller with the Tallahassee Police Department says there are many factors that go into that rise and there's not one easy solution.
Stolen guns play a part. Here's how you can do your part. Miller says if you have a gun, keep it in a locked location.
Miller says TPD is doing its best to keep Tallahassee safe, but needs more help from the community. He urges people to report any crimes to Crimestoppers.
"When these homicides happen you see how they are happening and why they are happening and again it is a societal issue - people's mindsets need to change and they need to have a change of heart," said Miller.
Our law enforcement agencies are not alone in the push to end violence.
Griffin Middle School held a gun violence awareness event earlier this month to teach young men about the possible deadly consequences of picking up a gun.
Godby High School will do the same on Tuesday.
