Violent crime fell in Tampa in 2022, police say
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa police and the US attorney’s office are highlighting their efforts to stop violent crime.
Officials highlighted their prosecution of a Robles Park gang, which was responsible for a 2020 shooting outside the Truth Lounge, injuring eight people. Three of the four people involved have pleaded guilty.
Another win for law enforcement was a 21-year sentence for Javeon Jacobs, who committed three carjackings and one kidnapping.
TPD says non-fatal shootings are down seventeen percent and crimes involving a firearm are down five percent.
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Tampa has still seen its share of devastating shootings, including of teenagers like Nilexia Alexander and Savannah Mathis.
Why do so many young people still pick up guns? Tampa Police Department Capt. Travis Maus interviews suspects before sending them to a judge and said crime and violence start at home.
"They have no positive role models in their life," he said. "They struggle with education. They struggle with home life. They have a lot of issues that turn them to that life of crime. That is the common thread with what we have seen"
A police car sits in front of crime scene tape following a shooting in Tampa.
They also highlighted a $1.5 million federal grant to support coordination efforts between agencies and target high-crime areas.
The agencies held a press conference Wednesday morning to say there were 91 federal charges filed in 2022. Along with those 91 defendants now in federal prison, they also said 74 guns have been taken off the street.
TPD says non-fatal shootings are down 17% and crimes involving a firearm are down 5%.