TPD touts crime reductions in Friday's 2024 Annual Report release

TPD releases 2024 Annual Crime Report

FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia reports on the Tampa Police Department releasing its Annual Crime Report for 2024, giving residents an idea of where the city stands on crime. Of the highlights, TPD touted falling crime rates and officers' ability to keep residents safe during last year's Gasparilla and hurricane season.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Police Department released its 2024 Annual Report on Friday.

"It's all about the hard work of our police officers and the community working together," Police Chief Lee Bercaw told FOX 13.

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Gasparilla safety measures are detailed in TPD's 2024 Annual Report.

The 36-page report details how officers kept pirates safe during last year's Gasparilla season and how they evacuated residents during what was a historic hurricane season.

The backstory:

It gives residents an idea of where the city stands on crime.

"One big highlight on there is we kept pushing out last year is not to leave your guns in your cars. We're seeing a 25% decrease of guns being stolen from cars, which is attributing also as a factor in our reduction in violent crime, which is huge," Bercaw said.

Crime reductions in 2024 detailed in TPD's Annual Report.

Crime reductions in 2024 are detailed in TPD's Annual Report.

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Big picture view:

According to the report, Tampa saw a much bigger decline in overall violent crime (8.4%)—including robbery and murder—than the average decline in other major cities (5.2%).

Crime reductions in 2024 are detailed in TPD's Annual Report.

Bercaw added that homicides and non-fatal shootings are also down 10% and 27%, respectively.

"That's because of our cops working hard out there," Bercaw said. "And it's because of the engagement with the community. We have town hall forums."

Dig deeper:

However, TPD admits the city did see a "significant rise" in illegal street racing and street takeovers last year.

Two people were arrested after a car was making donuts at the intersection of Kennedy Blvd and MacDill Ave in March 2024.

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Street racing incident at the intersection of Kennedy Blvd and MacDill Ave in March 2024.

Another street takeover occurred near the Tampa Convention Center during Labor Day weekend in September 2024. An 18-year-old was arrested.

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A street takeover incident that occurred near the Tampa Convention Center during Labor Day weekend in September 2024, which resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old.

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What's next:

In its annual report, Tampa police noted that new laws, which went into effect last year, introduced harsher penalties for street racing and felony charges for repeat offenders.

These types of crimes will remain a priority for TPD again this year.

TPD officers.

"It's getting the message out that we're out here and that we're going to be in full focus on it," Bercaw said. "We're making an arrest on it. We're holding those accountable. Not only that, we're going to seize your car."

This year, Bercaw added that the department will enhance and improve its neighborhood watch groups to get more residents involved in their mission to reduce crime.

To read TPD’s 2024 Annual Report, click here.

The Source: FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia collected the information in this story.

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