OCALA, FL (352today.com) – As Ocala continues to experience rapid growth, the Ocala Police Department (OPD) is seeing results in its efforts to maintain public safety, reporting a nearly 5% drop in the violent crime rate over the past year despite a growing population.

Crime rate falls as city grows

  • From 2023 to 2024, Ocala’s population increased by 4.8%, growing from 66,000 to 69,000.
  • During the same period, OPD recorded a 4.8% reduction in the violent crime rate.
  • The city’s daily population, factoring in commuters and visitors, now approaches 250,000.

“Ocala Police Department is proud to report zero homicides in the past 13 months,” said OPD Chief Mike Balken. “This achievement reflects the hard work of our officers through proactive patrols, thorough investigations, and strong partnerships with the community. Ocala’s crime rate, including violent crime, has decreased thanks to these collective efforts.” He noted that the last homicide in Ocala was June 20, 2024.

Community connection and proactive policing credited

OPD attributes this progress to a combination of strategic and community-focused approaches:

  • Increased officer presence in high-risk areas
  • Emphasis on preventative strategies and early intervention
  • Strong community outreach and public engagement

“We attribute this success to a combination of strategic policing, like focusing on high-risk areas, and deeper community engagement and outreach,” said Balken.

Visibility and prevention remain key

With more people traveling into Ocala for work, events, and other activities, OPD’s visibility plays a crucial role in maintaining order and deterring crime.

“Even as the population grew from 66,000 to 69,000 (up 4.8%),” said Balken. “With our city’s daily population swelling to approximately 250,000 due to work and other activities, this reduction the crime rate highlights the Ocala Police Department’s commitment to ensuring the safety of our community.”

Chief Balken urges residents to stay alert

Public safety remains a shared responsibility, and OPD is encouraging residents to take basic steps to help keep the community safe.

“We encourage all residents to stay alert and take simple precautions to ensure their safety,” said Balken. “Locking your doors and reporting any suspicious activity can help protect you and make our community safer. Additionally, we invite everyone to join us at our upcoming town hall to stay informed and connect with our community.”

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