TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Getting crime off of the streets is the number one job for the Tallahassee Police Department.
To do that, they need boots on the ground and to be fully staffed, which is not what's happening right now.
According to the city crime index, Tallahassee has the highest crime rate in comparison to neighboring cities. One of the main problems affecting response times is that there's not enough officers for a growing population.
"Whenever you can have more boots on the streets to respond to those calls, it always helps," said Officer Damon Miller, who is a public information officer for the Tallahassee Police Department. "We can see the impact and also the citizens can really see the impact as far as time is concerned and officers being out there. So, the more officers we have out on the streets, the better it is for our community."
With nearly 30 job openings, Officer Damon Miller says the Tallahassee Police Department doesn't have a shortage of officers, however there are a number of vacant positions that need to be filled. Doing so helps the department perform better and keep the community safer.
The uniform crime report lists the amount of property crimes spiking in Leon County. Jackson Bluff Road is one area where residents report that break-ins and robberies occur every month.
Utilizing technology, the Tallahassee Police Department posts real-time crime data in the communities. For example, at 4:30 on Friday afternoon, the TOPS website highlighted another reported theft on Jackson Bluff Road.
"Having several roommates in one house, people coming going, the door stays unlocked at night or during the daytime when your at class or work," said Nathan Sumner, a Jackson Bluff neighborhood resident. "You never really know who's coming or going so we try to be more cautious of that so we can help keep potential crime down."
TPD believes that by filling those open positions they can help lower the crime rate across the city.
According to the National Association of Police Chiefs, there is a growing shortage of police officers nationwide. Officer Miller says residents don't need to worry, the Tallahassee Police Department is appropriately staffed.
