With 320,000 residents, Orlando, Florida, is known for its theme parks, warm climate, golf courses, and nightlife. However, the popular vacation destination has a problem with violent and property crime that makes home security in Orlando essential. With a total crime index (TCI) of three — with 100 being the safest — Orlando is safer than just 3% of U.S. cities, according to the latest Neighborhood Scout data, which gleans information from multiple government sources. Here’s how the city’s crime picture compares to other municipalities of comparable size.
Violent Crime in Orlando
Violent crime is an issue in Orlando, where the chance of becoming a victim is one in 109. Of 15,221 crimes reported in the city over the most recent 12-month period, 2,953 were violent. That’s a rate of 9.21 per 1,000 residents. The FBI defines violent crime as as being one of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault.
Then there is St. Louis, Missouri, with about 281,000 residents and a total crime index of zero. The chance of being victimized by violent crime in St. Louis is one in 70. Of 21,974 crimes reported over 12 months, 4,048 were in the violent category.
But in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a city of about 269,000 and a TCI of 13, the chance of becoming a victim is one in 369. Of the 7,077 crimes reported in the city over the most recent 12-month period, 732 were violent. That’s a rate of 2.71 per 1,000 residents.
And in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1,602 of 11,574 crimes were violent. The city of some 303,000 residents has a total crime index of five and a one in 189 chance of violent victimization.
Newark, New Jersey, with some 304,000 residents, is another city close in size to Orlando. It has a TCI of 11 and over a 12-month period, 1,519 of 8,535 reported crimes were violent.
And in St. Paul, Minnesota, which has about 303,000 residents and a TCI of six, there’s a one in 162 chance of experiencing a violent crime. That’s a rate of 6.17 per 1,000 residents. Of 11,180 crimes reported, 1,874 were violent.
Property Crime in Orlando
Then there is property crime, defined by the FBI as burglary, arson, motor vehicle theft, and larceny theft. In Orlando, there’s a one in 26 chance of experiencing a property crime. That’s a rate of 38.25 per 1,000 residents. In all, there were 12,268 property crimes.
In St. Louis, your chances of experiencing this type of crime are one in 16 — for a rate of 63.62 per 1,000 residents. The city logged 17,925 property crimes over 12 months. Compare that city’s rates with those of Fort Wayne, where you have a one in 43 chance of being victimized, for a rate of 23.50 per 1,000 residents. The city reported 6,345 property crimes over 12 months.
As for the property crime picture in Pittsburgh, you have a one in 30 chance of victimization. Of all crimes there, 9,972 were in the property category. That’s a rate of 32.88 per 1,000 residents. Those residing in Newark have a one in 43 chance of being victimized by property crime. The city reported 7,016 such crimes over 12 months for a rate of 23.01 per 1,000 residents.
And in St. Paul, 317 of all reported crimes were in the property category, for a rate of 37.55 per 1,000 residents. There’s a 127 chance of experiencing a property crime in Highland Park.
The Orlando Police Department
The Orlando Police Department, located at 1250 W. South St., has about 1,023 sworn officers who cover some 37 square miles.
Rather than precincts, the department is organized into divisions that are part of a wider organizational structure that focuses on community policing. Those divisions include:
- Downtown Division: Covers the central business district.
- East Division: Focuses on the eastern part of town.
- West Division: Covers the city’s west side.
- North Division: Covers the northern part of Orlando.
- Airport Division: Responsible for security at Orlando International Airport.
How to Stay Safe
Monitored home security systems can help play a crucial role in preventing crime by working closely with local police like those in the Orlando area. These systems work in tandem with law enforcement and first responders to lessen the chance of being the victim of a crime or emergency.
With a monitored security system, when an alarm is triggered, the security company’s monitoring center immediately assesses the situation and notifies law enforcement if necessary. By providing real-time information, such as the nature of the alarm and whether it’s a break-in or fire, first responders can respond more quickly and efficiently. The partnership between first responders and a monitored home security company helps enhance public safety and reduce response times.
In Summary
Compared to other cities with similar populations, incidences of property and violent crime are real problems in Orlando. Meanwhile, in the U.S. as a whole, a residential break-in occurs every 26 seconds. Further, homes with no security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized wherever they are. Some 83% of would-be burglars search for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in. That’s why monitored home security systems from Guardian Protection offer around-the-clock monitoring to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered by professionals who work closely with first responders, every hour of the day.
