St. Augustine PD reports uptick in property theft, vehicle theft

St. Augustine, Fla. — St. Augustine is a must-stop destination for many visitors and locals alike.

But the latest crime statistics from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement suggest certain types of crime are on the rise.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole learned how some long-time residents feel about their safety and how the police department is responding to the data.

"I love it!" exclaimed Margaret Tarpley.

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Tarpley told Cole she left New Jersey for St. Augustine more than a decade ago—and never looked back.

"I've had no problems that ...you know... that I could say (make me feel) I’m afraid. Right now it's good,” Tarpley said.

According to  Cecilia Aiple, the spokeswoman for the St. Augustine Police Department and the latest numbers available from the FDLE Uniform Crime Report violent crime is down 7 percent, but the department is seeing a spike in property crime.

Aiple told Action News Jax that the rate now sits at 10.3 percent.

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The department says that increase is coming from stolen bicycles, which Aiple described to Cole as a “crime of opportunity.”

While FDLE’s Uniform Crime Report  is available right now, the St. Augustine PD is also working on their own report.

Aiple told Cole it's expected to be completed by April.

St. Augustine P.D. also told Cole they're also seeing an uptick in vehicle thefts by 16 percent.

Neighbors Cole spoke to said they haven't personally been victims of property crimes, but say they do have an idea about what could discourage the thieves:

“Getting to know that people—that you know—would cut down on where a lot of the crime is,” Tarpley said.

"Connecting with the community a little bit more. I believe that would (be) a blessing,” Rolanda Barber said.

Cox Media Group