The Research and Development Unit provides vital support to the Sheriff and the administration by performing research on current law enforcement issues, mapping out future strategic direction, evaluating ongoing programs and policies, acting as intergovernmental liaison, and applying for and managing grants.
The Research and Development Unit also maintains official crime statistics for the JSO, including Uniform Crime Report (UCR).
Uniform Crime Report statistics
The FBI obtains data from 17,000 local and state law enforcement agencies annually to gauge fluctuations in the overall volume and rate of crime. The data includes offense and arrest data for specific crimes. Both attempted and committed offenses are counted.
Offense data contains Part I crimes of Murder, Sex Offenses, Robbery, Aggravated Assault/Aggravated Stalking, Burglary, Larceny and Motor Vehicle Theft, and Part II offenses of Manslaughter, Simple Assault and Arson. UCR also collects data on domestic violence offenses, stolen and/or recovered property and motor vehicle recovery.
Arrest data includes arrests for all Part I and Part II crimes.
To view current UCR data, click here.
Mapped Crime Statistics
As a service to the public, JSO provides crime statistics information with a mapping program. The information provided shows the number of police reports written for specific crimes within a half-mile of an address or location selected. You can either specify an address or click on the citywide map on the area you are interested in. The type of crime and number of offenses will be presented in a table format. The map will identify the area with a circle drawn a half mile in diameter around the specified location.
To access this mapping option, click here.
Research and Development also suggests the following tips to assess neighborhood safety:
Every year, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office receives thousands of calls from citizens requesting crime statistics. Many are considering moving into a neighborhood and want to know what the crime rate is there, or how that area compares to the rest of the city for criminal activity. Some basic crime statistics can be viewed on the JSO's website as noted on the preceding paragraphs. While statistics can give a sense of what has occurred, they rarely provide the insight a citizen is looking for when trying to assess whether or not a particular neighborhood is a safe place to live.
It would be helpful for you to evaluate the neighborhood yourself by looking for the elements that can contribute to the potential for crime, or that indicate the possible presence of criminal activity to determine your personal feeling of safety.
Take a tour of the area, during the day and at night, and keep in mind the following questions:
1. How well kept are the lawns? Are there signs of graffiti and vandalism?
A well-maintained area typically means the residents care about their neighborhood and what happens in it.
2. How well lit is the area at night? Are all of the streetlights working?
A well-lit area deters criminal activity.
3. What type of vehicular traffic is present? Do the cars look like they belong?
A lot of cars coming and going may indicate the presence of criminal activity, particularly if the cars don't fit the socio-economic character of the neighborhood.
4. What is the traffic level? Is the street a thoroughfare or does it have little traffic?
The less accessible a neighborhood is to non-residents, the less crime it invites.
5. Are there any vacant houses? Do they look like they are kept up?
Absentee landlords who do not regularly maintain their property may encourage loitering and vagrancy, or provide an opportunity for undetected criminal activity.
6. Are there a lot of houses for sale or rent?
A neighborhood in transition may invite criminal activity.
7. Are there people walking in the neighborhood, during the day and at night?
Seeing residents walking through the neighborhood is typically a good indication of their comfort with the surroundings. As with vehicular traffic, the people you see should look like they belong there.
8. Do the houses have burglar bars?
Many "stockaded" homes may indicate a continuous problem with criminal activity.
9. What are the age levels in the neighborhood?
A broad mix is best because it means people are home for a wider range of the day, taking away the opportunity for crime to occur. If it appears someone is watching, criminals will go elsewhere.
Special assessments for apartment complexes:
Apartment complexes have special needs when it comes to assessing the potential for crime. In addition to the above criteria, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is the complex gated? Is there a security guard?
The presence of security personnel is a good deterrent to crime, particularly if they routinely patrol all areas.
2. Are there a lot of driveways into the complex?
Unlimited direct access from the street provides the opportunity for criminals to enter and exit the complex easily and virtually undetected. The less access, the better.
3. Are the apartment doorways easily visible from the parking lot or other public areas?
Recessed, hidden doorways can be entrapment spots that increase the potential for victimization. Make sure trees and shrubs have not grown to block views to doorways and windows.
4. Are the common areas maintained and clean?
Poorly maintained areas may indicate a management company that is not actively involved with the complex.
5. Are there protected or hidden areas that invite loitering?
All areas should have a purpose and should not encourage "hanging around."
In addition to visually evaluating the neighborhood, there are other ways to assess its safety:
· Talk to the neighbors.
· Talk to people in the local businesses and churches.
· Find out if there is an active Neighborhood Watch program in place. Call the JSO's Community Affairs Division (630-2161) for information on existing programs, as well as information on getting a Neighborhood Watch started in your area.