Semi-annual report shows spike in violent crimes

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LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) released the semi-annual report which shows an increase in violent crime throughout the county.

It’s been in the news all too often lately, crime after crime. From shootings and car burglaries, to home invasions and robberies. However, there’s one crime that every district in Lee County has seen a spike in sexual assaults.

“You know I see law enforcement here a lot. Last month, almost daily, we saw them; everyday last month,” said Jennifer Benton, the CEO of Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT).

Benton says they normally do about four to six exams on sexual assault victims per month, but in July they had a total of 12. They’ve already seen six so far in August. She says their numbers have doubled in the last year.

“More people come forward obviously but also there’s an increase in our population too that adds to it,” Benton said.

According to the semi-annual report, there’s been 27 more sexual assaults reported than there were this time last near in the East District, which includes Lehigh Acres. Other districts have also seen an increase. In total, sex crimes are up 49 percent.

“It happens just about everywhere and it doesn’t seem to matter where you’re at it’s not always safe.”

Also in the report, eight of the ten homicides this year have been in the East District, and that’s not including the recent triple homicide in Lehigh Acres.

“The majority of the time I watch the news, it’s always mostly about Lehigh Acres and I thought maybe that was a lower crime neighborhood,” said Beverly Rivera, who just moved to Fort Myers.

Deputies are also responding to more aggravated assaults, which have an increase of nearly 15 percent countywide. Some Fort Myers residents say they can’t believe how bad the crime is getting.

“When I was a kid growing up, you didn’t see all these homicides like this. I mean it’s really bad, every day someone is getting shot,” said Forrest Anderson.

ACT wants to remind victims of sexual assault that they can always call their 24-hour hotline at 239-939-3112.

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