Is Florida’s ‘50-year-low’ crime rate based on reliable data?

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent claim that crime in Florida is at a 50-year low is based on data that excludes more than 40% of the state’s population.

The Uniform Crime Reporting program collects nationwide data on crime from local law enforcement. The FBI, which runs the program, recently switched to a newer system that will provide a more detailed analysis on crime. 

The new system, called the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), will offer context and circumstantial details about each crime, such as the relationship between victims and offenders, property involved in crimes and the location and time of day a crime occurred. 

However, not all counties have switched to NIBRS, so their crime statistics are left to estimates instead of hard data. A concrete examination of crime rates in the state won’t happen until all counties switch to the new system.