Cowen Edwards represents injury victims in Fort Lauderdale in all different types of incidents, including assaults and other criminal acts. In looking at the underlying data on the crime rate in Fort Lauderdale, it becomes clear that these incidents could happen to you or a loved one. Worse, you never know when it could happen. That’s where we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Florida and Broward County’s Crime Rate as a Whole
Florida’s diverse population and cultural dynamics are two of the most attractive things about living in the state. Also, there’s beautiful weather and access to all different types of exciting activities. At the same time, though, these factors also influence the overall crime rate.
According to data from the Florida Department of Health (FL Health), violent crimes in Florida in 2022 happened at a clip of:
- 33,632 violent crimes
- 22,329,178 people
- 6 violent crimes per 1,000 people
Over the last five years, violent crimes–including assaults–have stayed pretty consistent in Broward County. This isn’t necessarily surprising given the overall numbers, since Broward County is Florida’s second largest by population:
- 2018 – 2,257
- 2019 – 2,365
- 2020 – 2,040
- 2021 – 2,114
- 2022 – 2,392
Obviously, this data underscores the issue of crime across Florida and Broward County. But placing a magnifying glass on Fort Lauderdale itself is even more telling.
Fort Lauderdale Assault and Crime Rate
Specifically, Fort Lauderale has its own issues with crime. This isn’t necessarily surprising, but it is troubling if you find yourself in one. Assaults in particular are among the most common types of crime that people in the city experience.
According to data from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, 2023 saw:
- 780 instances of assault
Then, over the last several years, this number has fluctuated:
- 2020 – 546
- 2021 – 658
- 2022 – 680
- 2023 – 780
- This accounted for 43% of the overall crimes in Fort Lauderdale between 2020 and 2023.
There’s a number of reasons that assaults are so common in the city, from the population to the fact that there’s a great deal of socioeconomic disparity here. At the same time, understanding the many different forms of assault can show why it’s such a common happening:
- Physical altercations – One of the most common forms of assault are fights between individuals, involving hitting, punching, kicking, or pushing.
- Domestic violence – Assaults frequently occur within familial or intimate relationships, which can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
- Bar fights – Fights often happen in bars, nightclubs, or other social settings, fueled by alcohol and involving physical violence between patrons.
- Robbery-related assaults – Assaults that occur during the commission of a robbery (known as aggravated assault), where force or threat of force is used to steal property from the victim.
- Road rage incidents – Fights or altercations that occur between drivers on the road, involving aggressive driving behaviors, verbal threats, or physical violence.
- Hate crimes – Fort Lauderdale’s diversity sees hate crimes motivated by bias or prejudice against a particular race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristic of the victim.
- Simple assaults – Acts that involve intentional physical harm or the threat of harm against another person, without the use of a weapon or with minimal injury.
With this understanding, it’s clear that assaults can happen in many different forms and settings across Fort Lauderdale. But by looking a bit closer, it can show where it happens the most.
Where Do Assaults Happen in Fort Lauderdale?
Being that Fort Lauderdale is such a rapidly growing city, it’s really not all that surprising that assaults happen here. That said, like anywhere else in Florida, there’s certain areas of the city where these incidents are more likely to happen–and reasons that they do.
FTLPD splits its efforts into three districts:
- District I, which covers the north and eastern parts of the city
- District II, covering central and northwestern parts
- District III, including the southern part of the city
In 2023, these areas of the city saw the following in terms of assaults:
- District I – 157
- District II – 393
- District III – 207
These numbers are telling for a few reasons. First, District II had the most assaults, but it also covers an area of the city with a lot of commercial activity, particularly around the airport. District III has the most residential areas, meaning its numbers are more tied to domestic assaults and robberies of homes, while District I had the lowest number of assaults. This is primarily due to the fact that it covers the coastal areas of the city, where there’s a more laid back atmosphere.
Still, it’s important to understand that assaults can happen anywhere in the city, but are more common in the following types of places:
- Shopping malls
- Bars and nightclubs
- Grocery stores
- Parking areas and garages
- Parks and recreational areas, like beaches
Remember, whenever you’re injured because of someone’s intentional act or negligence in Fort Lauderdale, you have the legal right to file a civil lawsuit to cover your injuries and other damages. This could mean recovering things like your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Repair or replacement costs for damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship
- Punitive damages, in certain cases
Contact Cowen Edwards For Support
Suffering an injury from an accident or incident is challenging enough, but it becomes even more problematic when you’re a victim of an assault or some other crime. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your injury, our team of dedicated lawyers at Cowen Edwards is here to assist you in getting the financial support and benefits you rightfully deserve.
We’ll look at your case, explain your options, then help you navigate the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation.
