Crime... Why is it so high? (Sarasota, Bradenton: low income, real estate, HOA)

[geekygisela]

I was actually looking at //www.city-data.com/city/Sarasota-Florida.html , and just wondering... why in the heck is the crime level so high? Is this not a true representation of the city of Sarasota? My only guess would because of it being a vacation destination, it does not take the amount of visitors into account every year, but other than that, I'm at a loss to figure out why. I know that FL crime is generally higher than the rest of the states, but that does seem like a lot to me.

From my reference of the town I currently reside in it's quite a shock. //www.city-data.com/city/Ramsey-New-Jersey.html

Or am I just looking too much at the numbers here?

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by geekygisela

I was actually looking at //www.city-data.com/city/Sarasota-Florida.html , and just wondering... why in the heck is the crime level so high? Is this not a true representation of the city of Sarasota? My only guess would because of it being a vacation destination, it does not take the amount of visitors into account every year, but other than that, I'm at a loss to figure out why. I know that FL crime is generally higher than the rest of the states, but that does seem like a lot to me.

From my reference of the town I currently reside in it's quite a shock. //www.city-data.com/city/Ramsey-New-Jersey.html

Or am I just looking too much at the numbers here?

Crime in the Bradenton/Sarasota area is at an all time high, reason being, drugs and loss of jobs. Just read the Bradenton Herald online or the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

You will find the phenomena all over Florida as well.

[darkbuddha]

Everything you need to understand the difference between Ramsey and Sarasota is right there... Sarasota is bigger, more population, lower income, lower property values, etc... Compare Sarasota to something with more similarities in terms of size, development, and proximity to larger cities in NJ... say Irvington: //www.city-data.com/city/Irvington-New-Jersey.html

Less difference when properly compared I think. But to be clear, Sarasota ain't no paradise even if it does have some of the best beaches anywhere.

[leemh05]

the real estate agents and vacationing will not bring you past the seedier parts of sarasota.You have to extreme ends of the world living in and around sarasota. The wealthier people need service related trades which are the lowest paying jobs around. those people see the way the other half lives and want it. As the economy gets worse the service workers find themselves out of work yet trying to feed their families in a high cost of living area

[firsttimeowner]

Yes but other states and cities are struggling with high unemployment and a diverse population and many low income people so you still have not explained why Florida specifically has a higher crime rate than those other locations.

[mikey2]

It's not necessarily that Sarasota has a higher crime rate than other cities. I'm sure it's much lower than many.

90% of all crime goes unreported. Actual reporting rates for different areas vary. Statistics can be misleading for that reason.

I work with adolescent boys and the one thing they ask for more than anything else is a JOB. That's the one thing they can't get....
They are growing up without hope...what do you think they're going to continue to do.

Mikey

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by firsttimeowner

Yes but other states and cities are struggling with high unemployment and a diverse population and many low income people so you still have not explained why Florida specifically has a higher crime rate than those other locations.

Florida is well known for the strangest kind of criminals, we've said it before; the temperature and transient nature of the state lends itself to criminal activity. This state is a true "vacation" destination and as such, draws people who come down looking for a permanent vacation and realize it's not the same living here 24/7/12. They encounter the low pay/job struggle and party lifestyle and it leads to bad associations.

[dmccauley]

I am also from NJ, and for me its a huge difference. I was use to our own police department that patroled the areas 24/7, compared to Sarasota you have the sheriff and county police. The area is so large they obviously can't be everywhere, and they consider HOA neighborhoods private property. Another difference I found is the areas that were considered shady were well known (back in NJ), in Sarasota its all mixed together. You have million dollar homes with trashy ones across the street. I consider my area that I live in now to be very safe however we are not immune to the car break in's now and then. Our neighborhood has also done something about it, we hired a community watch that patrols the area. The police have met with our association and have stated with the economy the way it is people are desperate, and it doesn't matter if your in a gated community or not if these scums want something they will get it.

[imagardener]

Florida has more transient population which means that you don't know who belongs in your neighborhood and who is a bad person looking to steal, etc.

The weather is also good most of the year. Up north crime goes down in very cold weather and up in warm weather. Florida's good weather means more opportunity for crime.

Florida's economy is based on tourism and has more low-paying jobs than many other states. Also has more drugs available (port of entry) and drug users need easy money to support their habit.

All of the above translates into more potential for crime, especially petty theft.

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by mikey2

It's not necessarily that Sarasota has a higher crime rate than other cities. I'm sure it's much lower than many.

90% of all crime goes unreported. Actual reporting rates for different areas vary. Statistics can be misleading for that reason.

I work with adolescent boys and the one thing they ask for more than anything else is a JOB. That's the one thing they can't get....
They are growing up without hope...what do you think they're going to continue to do.

Mikey

Good for you working with the boys. I hope they are in a program that teaches them a skill that will lead to a good job. Getting your first job is tough, I remember how hard it was for me, even after college.

In today's world having multiple skills gives you potential. An apprentice program would be great, learning on the job and paid just a minimal amount. When I was their age I looked all over for one in my desired profession (photography) but there was nothing. Had to learn it all on my own, the hard way.

Life ain't easy. If it was we'd all be retired millionaires.