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Florida’s index crime rate decreased 1 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, reaching a 36-year low, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s recently released 2006 Annual Uniform Crime Report. Florida’s index crimes include murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

The actual number of reported crimes statewide increased by 1.4 percent. Total arrests increased 5.2 percent.

Drug offenders continued to be the largest crime category statewide, with 168,119 arrests, or 15.1 percent of the total. Juveniles arrest increased by .8 percent, while arrests of adults increased by 5.7 percent.

The total number of index crimes reported by the Marco Island Police Department to the FDLE in 2006 was 222, down 11.5 percent compared to 2005. Collier County reported 7,576 indexed crimes last year, compared to 7,747 in 2005, a 2.2-percent drop.

"Florida’s history of being tough on violent crime is serving the people of Florida well, but we must do everything within our power to make certain we are keeping criminals off our streets," said Gov. Charlie Crist.

"It is encouraging to see a decrease in the overall crime rate, and I commend Florida’s local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts in keeping our communities safe," said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. "I am, however, concerned about the increase in gun violence and drug related crime."

The number of crimes committed in the state using guns rose 42 percent. The figure is still less than the number of murders in 1998.

There were 1,129 murders in Florida last year, up 28 percent from 2005. Armed robberies increased 20 percent from 2005.

When you factor in the population growth in Florida from 1998 through 2006, the rate of gun crime dropped in proportion by almost 20 percent, according to the state Uniform Crime Report. Florida’s population increased by 2.4 percent, or almost 500,000 new residents in 2006 from 2005.

Violent crimes, which include murder, sexual offenses, robbery and aggravated assault offenses, increased statewide by .5 percent over the 2005 rate.

Non-violent crimes, which include burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft offenses, decreased 1.2 percent statewide.

The MIPD reported 15 violent crimes in 2006, compared to 22 in 2005, a 31-percent drop. The department cleared all 15 from last year and one left over from 2005.

There was one sexual assault in 2006 compared to six in 2005. Two robberies occurred in 2006 compared to none in 2005. There were 12 aggravated assaults last year compared to 16 the year before. Homicides decreased from nine in 2005 to seven in 2006. Forced sex offenses decreased from 184 in 2005 to 82 last year. Robberies increased to 291 last year from 218 in 2005. Aggravated assaults increased from 932 in 2005 to 997 last year.

Marco Island Police Chief Roger Reinke said assistance from citizens and the Marco Police Foundation Neighborhood Watch helped reduce crime on the island.

Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter also credited community partnerships and groups, including the Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch, in reducing crime in the county.

"We are doing a great job of holding the line on crime in Collier County while facing tremendous growth," Hunter said.