Residents Question Fort Lauderdale Commissioners Priorities as Crime Escalates and City Commission Spends $20,000 and Time on F’Word Investigation.
Fort Lauderdale has a population of about 182,000 people and is known for its beaches, boating, and tourism, but it is also gaining a reputation for its high crime rate and homelessness. Fort Lauderdale now ranks as the most dangerous city in Broward County and one of the most dangerous in the state and the nation, with neighboring Lauderhill a very close second
The Crime Rate
According to the latest data from the FBI, Fort Lauderdale had a violent crime rate of 1,006 per 100,000 residents in 2019, which was more than four times the national average of 367 per 100,000. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Fort Lauderdale also had a property crime rate of 5,604 per 100,000 residents, which was more than twice the national average of 2,110 per 100,0002. Property crimes include burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. In total, Fort Lauderdale had a crime rate of 6,610 per 100,000 residents, which was the highest in Broward County and the 10th highest in Florida.