Tampa Ranks 14th For Lowest Violent Crime Rate In Country

TAMPA, FL — While Tampa has been named among large cities in the nation with the lowest violent crime rates, Tampa Police Interim Chief Lee Bercaw said his department continues to battle gun violence.

To that end, the Tampa Police Department will host a Violent Crime Forum Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss efforts to reduce violent crime in the city and listen to residents' concerns.

The forum will take place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 2200 N. Oregon Ave., Tampa.

"This is an opportunity for the community to come together so that we can work together and improve the quality of life for all those residing in the city of Tampa," said Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "I encourage everyone to join us for this important forum and to bring your concerns and suggestions to us. We want to hear from you. We are safer together when we work together."

Representatives from the police will discuss the expansion of its community-oriented policing programs, crime reduction programs and provide safety tips.

Data from a violent crime survey released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association showed Tampa has the second lowest violent crime rate per capita among the cities surveyed that have comparable populations including Arlington, Virginia; Aurora, Colorado; Buffalo, New York; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Honolulu, Hawaii; Miami; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New Orleans, Louisiana; Newark, New Jersey, Oakland, California; Orlando, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; St. Louis, Missouri; and Wichita, Kansas.

Overall, the association surveyed 59 major U.S. cities ranging in size from the largest — New York City — to the smallest — Salt Lake City, Utah.

Tampa ranked 14th overall for the lowest violent crime rate in 2022.

"These promising statistics show that while there is still work to be done, we are on the right track, continuing to decrease violent crime in our city," Bercaw said. "The reduction didn't come without hard work from the men and women of the Tampa Police Department and the implementation of a variety of strategies to continue to reduce crime."

Bercaw said the series of violent crime forums that have taken place so far as well as upcoming forums are intended to get residents and business owners involved in those efforts.

"From strengthening our law enforcement activities to increasing our focus on crime prevention programs and community-oriented policing, we have taken a holistic approach to creating a safe and secure environment for our residents, visitors and businesses," he said. "The survey only serves as further motivation for our officers to keep pushing for new ways to ensure that our communities remain safe and crime free."

"This data confirms what we already know," said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. "Tampa is one of the safest large cities in the United States where you can land a well-paying job at one of many growing businesses and also raise your family in a safe community. I truly believe this city, where I was born and raised, has been one of the best-kept secrets for a long time, but as we've seen in our recent population growth, the secret is out."

Castor said the survey results reinforce the efforts of the police department.