CRIME RATES DOWN

The Florida Department of Law enforcement says the crime rates for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have declined. The latest Uniform Crime Report showed a 9% drop in Florida’s total crime between 2017 and 2018 and Escambia County and Santa Rosa County saw dips of 6.2% and 6.8% for murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, rapes, larcenies, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Eric Haines said the violent crime rate is at an all-time low for Escambia County.