Cape Coral: Cape Coral is safe

Among the 20 cities of this size, only Coral Springs, Port St. Lucie, and Palm Bay have a lower crime rate – all with fewer residents than Cape Coral.

Other cities in Lee County also reported an increase in crime rates:

• Fort Myers: 7.7% increase
• Lee County: 6.8% increase

While violent crimes in Cape Coral declined, the following trends were observed:

• Fewer homicides (5 cases in 2007, down from 6 the previous year)
• Slight decrease in aggravated assaults (260 cases in 2007, compared to 265 in 2006)
• 40 robberies in 2007 (compared to 52 in 2006)

Property Crimes on the Rise

While violent crimes declined, property crimes saw an increase:

• Burglaries: 1,483 cases (up from 1,462 the previous year)
• Robberies: 97 cases (up from 83 the previous year)
• Auto thefts: 304 cases (down from 331 the previous year)

Increase in Emergency Calls and Arrests

The police department reported a rise in emergency calls and arrests:

• 170,049 emergency calls in 2007 (compared to 146,428 in 2006)
• 5,521 arrests (an increase of 921 compared to the previous year)

Challenges for the Future

The Cape Coral police emphasize their commitment to crime prevention. Police Chief Rob Petrovitch stated that budget cuts and rapid population growth pose challenges. However, the department continues to work closely with neighborhood groups to combat crime effectively.

Safe Living in Cape Coral Despite Rising Numbers

Despite regional challenges, Cape Coral remains one of the safest cities in Florida. Strong collaboration between law enforcement and residents plays a crucial role in maintaining security.