Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/305631
Crime in the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County fell 13 percent for the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2013, Sheriff Tom Knight announced on April 30 — a continuation of a decline Knight has linked to his implementation of an intelligence-led policing philosophy. The latest statistics reflect a 33-percent reduction compared to the first quarter of 2009, when he first took office, a news release points out. The Sheriff's Office previously reported that Part 1 Offenses in the unincorporated areas of the county — the most serious crimes, such as homicide, robbery and aggravated assault — dropped 11 percent in 2013 com- pared to 2012 records. They have fallen 30 percent since 2009. "This is significantly different" from the situation in the state of Florida as a whole, the news release says. The state has reported that Part 1 crimes have Sheriff Tom Knight has guided his office with his 'intelligence-led policing' philosophy. Contributed image THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESS ACHIEVED SINCE TOM KNIGHT WAS FIRST ELECTED KEEPING CRIME DOWN We a r e c o m m i t t e d t o o u r intelligence-led policing model, Intelligence 2 Action, which certainly contributed to this unprecedented drop in crime. Tom Knight Sheriff Sarasota County By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor