Florida attracts a million tourists annually, but beneath the palm trees, some cities struggle with high crime rates. It’s not just residents at risk—businesses are paying the price too.
From break-ins to vandalism, crime doesn’t just create fear; it drains profits. In cities like Lake City, Riviera Beach, and Florida City, small businesses face constant threats, forcing owners to invest heavily in security—or risk losing everything.
For business owners, every stolen item, every act of vandalism, and every forced entry means lost revenue, higher insurance premiums, and sleepless nights.
This blog is for you if you want to take control, even in the most dangerous cities, through a proactive security solution.
But first, let’s have a look at some of Florida’s crime statistics.
Florida’s annual crime rates.
In 2024, Florida’s annual crime rate stood at 18.07 per 1,000 residents, with property crimes outpacing violent crimes by a significant margin.
While violent crime sits at 2.90 per 1,000, property crimes make up the bulk, with a rate of 15.16 per 1,000.
This suggests that, despite efforts to combat violence, the state faces a larger challenge with property crimes (destruction or damage of someone else’s property, including theft, burglary, vandalism, and arson.)
Florida crime map. Safest vs most dangerous cities.
The above map shows the safest vs most dangerous cities in Florida. The darker-shaded regions are more dangerous and more prone to crimes whereas the lighter shaded areas are the secure and peaceful areas.
Most dangerous cities in Florida 2024:
The most dangerous cities in Florida are notorious for high crime rates, frequently making headlines due to incidents like shootings, violence, mass shootings, gang wars, robbery, and burglary.
We have compiled a list of the top 5 dangerous cities in Florida based on information drawn from FBI reports, news outlets, and the Florida Police Department:
1. Lake city:
Lake City has a violent crime rate of 1,547 per 100,000 residents, making it one of the most dangerous cities in Florida.
It’s a crime hotspot with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim.
Violent crime is nearly three times the national average, and property crimes are just as bad.
In just the past two months, a mass shooting at Annie Mattox Park, a Lake City couple indicted for theft, multiple shootings across the city, and a fatal ATV crash have intensified safety concerns in Lake City.
2. Belle Glade:
Belle Glade isn’t just unsafe—it’s a crime hotspot where violent crime is nearly 3x the national average and property crimes are rampant.
In the last two months alone, a gas station shooting left one dead and two injured, and an off-duty deputy was murdered in a targeted attack. Locals aren’t just concerned—they’re scared, with one resident summing it up: “It’s terrible.”
A report by Area Vibe confirms Belle Glade experiences a violent crime rate of 1,310 per 100,000 people, with elevated rates of assault, robbery, rape, and homicide.
3. Riviera Beach:
Riviera Beach has a violent crime rate of 0.0909 per 1,000 residents, placing it among Florida’s most dangerous cities
There has been a decline in violent crime, but recent incidents remind us that danger continues to be a real concern.
While homicides dropped in 2023, a fatal shooting and multiple arrests tied to firearms highlight the ongoing risks. In January 2025, the city’s real-time crime center—equipped with 400 surveillance cameras—played a pivotal role in tracking down suspects with stolen, modified weapons.
4. Cocoa:
Cocoa, Florida, has a violent crime rate of 61 per 1,000 residents, making it well above the national average.
Despite some improvements—violent crime dropped 14% in the first half of 2024 and property crime fell 18%—the numbers are still high.
With 8.7 property crimes per 1,000 residents, Cocoa’s crime problem is real, and safety remains a concern for both residents and visitors. The progress is clear, but it’s also a reminder that the job’s far from finished.
5. Florida City:
Florida City has the highest violent crime rate in Florida—17.56 per 1,000 residents (6X the state average).
Your odds? 1 in 57 for violent crime, 1 in 14 for property crime. Aggravated assaults and robberies are far above national levels, with recent incidents like an 18-year-old arrested for murder. The cause? Poverty, lack of opportunities, and weak enforcement.
What do the locals say?
While some might label these areas as the worst places to live, for others, they are home. Let’s hear from the locals about their everyday experiences:
James Daughtery, says:
“Jacksonville tops the list, but Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have their hotspots too. Awareness is your best defense—stay informed, stay vigilant, stay safe.”
Julius Rosen, a Florida resident since 2004, discusses the safety of raising children in Florida:
“Everything is relative—Florida is generally safe, but like anywhere, some areas have higher crime. Orlando, for example, has a small section where most crime happens, but the city itself is safe. Many small towns have little to no crime, and outside big cities like Miami, gangs aren’t a major issue. Schools are average—it’s on parents to ensure kids learn. But at the end of the day, tragedy can happen anywhere.”
Is Florida safe for tourists?
According to Visit Florida, Florida had a record-breaking year in 2023 with 140.6 million visitors—up 2.3% from 2022.
Who came?
- 129.1M were from the U.S.
- 11.5M were international.
What did they spend?
- $127.7B poured into Florida’s economy.
- 2.1M jobs supported.
With 140.6 million visitors in 2023, Florida clearly remains a top destination—so it can’t be that bad. The key to staying safe? Businesses adopting smart security strategies. If they do, they can keep their customers and employees safer, even in riskier areas. Just shows that with the right planning, you can thrive, no matter where you are.
How can businesses stay safe?
The best security systems for businesses in Florida is the one that proactively detects threats. Whether it is an intruder, violence, suspicious shoplifting behavior, or even gunshots.
Securing the perimeter and implementing stringent access controls are crucial for determining who can enter, stay, and linger on your property. This is where a Remote Video Monitoring system comes into play, offering robust protection for your property, employees, and assets.
Yes, remote video monitoring is the key! Many businesses already rely on this real-time security solution to monitor their property from anywhere.
Whenever the camera’s AI detects a security breach, remote operators swiftly respond to suspicious activities. They can intervene through live audio interventions or by contacting security personnel (police, designated responders, etc.) according to pre-established standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The above survey shows that while CCTV surveillance cameras are a necessity for 47% businesses across North America, 14% have also deployed remote video monitoring for 24/7 video monitoring of businesses.
With intrusion detection, violence recognition, loitering alerts, and smoke/fire detection, AI-powered remote video monitoring turns security from a passive system into an active defense mechanism:
- Intrusion detection: Detects unauthorized access and sends real-time alerts before a break-in occurs.
- Violence detection: Identifies aggressive behavior and immediately notifies security teams.
- Loitering alerts: Recognizes suspicious lingering near entry points, reducing theft and vandalism risks.
- Smoke & fire detection: Triggers instant alerts for early fire prevention, protecting assets and lives.
Businesses in high-risk locations can’t afford to rely on outdated security solutions. By integrating AI-powered remote monitoring, they gain real-time situational awareness, allowing for faster responses and better protection.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Florida’s most dangerous cities, such as Lake City, Belle Glade, and Florida City, experience high crime rates, especially in terms of violent and property crimes.
These cities not only present risks to residents but also create significant challenges for local businesses, forcing owners to invest heavily in security measures.
Proactive solutions, such as remote video monitoring, are essential in safeguarding businesses, employees, and assets, allowing owners to respond quickly to threats and reduce operational costs.
Contact us today for a demo on a security system that can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
