The first quarter of 2014 shows residential burglaries on the decline in the City of Pensacola.

The number of violent felonies reported is fluctuating through the first quarter: 26 were reported in January; 32 were reported in February; 25 were reported in March, according to data from the Pensacola Police Department through March.

In the first quarter:

-- There were no homicides in the city and 11 sex offenses.

-- Domestic violence offenses increased in the first quarter, from 34 in January to 49 in March.

-- Residential burglaries are continuing the decrease they showed in 2013, dropping from 30 in January to 19 in March.

When the Pensacola Police Department turned in its 2013 crime data to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the numbers showed a 14 percent drop in crime overall from 2012; and 18 percent drop in violent crime.

The drop was the largest single yearly reduction in the city in more than 14 years.

Residential burglaries and street level drug crimes were two areas Simmons’ officers specifically focussed on last year.  PPD used a data analyst to get extra officers to areas where they were needed.

At Simmons’ morning meeting with the captains, specific crimes that took place the day before are reviewed. Every burglary is mentioned so that all of divisions are aware of it, not just investigations or patrol, but neighborhood services as well.

See the monthly reports for January, February and March here.

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