MFP_Crime Lafayette County Crime by Offenses (graph on page2).jpg

MAYO, Fla. — Crime in Lafayette County is down 4.1 percent compared to 2016, according to the 2017 Uniform Crime Report released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Violent crime, though, is up 173.7 percent.

There was a total of 70 offenses reported in 2017 compared to 73 offenses in 2016. There were 31 aggravated assaults, one murder, three rapes, 12 burglaries, 21 larceny offenses and two motor vehicle thefts.

Of the 13 aggravated assaults, 21 were with a firearm, two were with a knife or cutting instrument, two were with hands, fist or feet and six were with other.

Of the 12 burglaries, three were forced entry and nine were no forced entry burglaries.

Of the 21 larceny offenses, two were shoplifting, four were from motor vehicles, one was motor vehicle parts, one was from a building and 13 were from other.

A knife or cutting instrument was used in the one murder in 2017. There was no murder in 2016.

Of the three rapes, hands, fist or feet were used in two. No rapes were reported in 2016.

The total number of arrests increased to 238 compared to the 199 arrests in 2016.

Domestic violence offenses decreased by 10 in 2017 with seven offenses. There were three aggravated assaults and four simple assaults.

In 2017, the property value stolen was $68,793 and $1,683 was recovered.

According to Sheriff Brian Lamb, the sheriff’s office is proud to report a crime solve clearance rate of 52.9 percent for 2017.

He said the state average solve rate is 23.4 percent.

“This can be credited to the hard work and selfless efforts of our deputies working to solve the crimes committed and to the citizens who assist when they See Something and Say Something,” Lamb said.