Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez announced significant strides in reducing crime and reinforcing law enforcement partnerships over the past two years, emphasizing the importance of holding criminals accountable to ensure the community’s safety.
Speaking at a press conference with Florida Governor DeSantis Wednesday, Lopez highlighted how her office has worked diligently to rebuild relationships with law enforcement agencies that had been strained under her predecessor.
“Our law enforcement officers used to arrest criminals, only to see them back on the streets hours later committing the same crimes. That was unacceptable,” Lopez stated, referencing the previous administration under Andrew Warren. “Every crime is important to fight because whether it’s retail theft or gun violence, criminals will be held accountable under my watch in Hillsborough County.”
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Lopez shared that the focus on supporting law enforcement rather than criminals is yielding tangible results. “There’s been a lot of talk about crime statistics, but I can confidently say that our community is safer today than it was two years ago,” she said, citing new data from local law enforcement.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported a nearly 15 percent decrease in overall crime this year, with significant drops in sexual batteries (down 46 percent) and robberies (down 27 percent). In Tampa, the largest city in the county, overall crime has decreased by 10 percent, and violent crime involving firearms is down 11 percent.
Lopez also addressed the ongoing fentanyl crisis, sharing a personal story of a local nurse whose son tragically died after unknowingly taking fentanyl. “Fentanyl has touched every corner of our community, but there is some good news—fentanyl overdose deaths are down eight percent this year,” Lopez noted.
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She credited the decrease to her office’s aggressive prosecution of drug dealers. “Just recently, we secured a first-degree murder conviction against a defendant who sold fentanyl that resulted in a death. That individual will now spend the rest of his life in prison.”
She stressed the importance of collaboration across county lines, acknowledging that crime does not adhere to jurisdictional boundaries. “We all want the same thing: law and order, a peaceful community, and a safe place to live, work, and raise our families,” Lopez said. She underscored the necessity of continued cooperation with law enforcement to maintain the progress made in reducing crime and supporting victims.
Lopez concluded by highlighting her personal commitment to crime victims, sharing that she has personally met with over 130 families who have lost loved ones to crime in Hillsborough County, some dating back as far as 2018.
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“Sending a form letter with thoughts and prayers is not enough. These families deserve to know who is fighting for them and seeking justice for their loved ones,” she said. “The best way we can support crime victims is by working tirelessly to ensure there are no more victims.”
Lopez thanked Governor Ron DeSantis for his leadership and for providing the necessary tools to fight crime effectively. “With the support of our law enforcement partners, we will continue to make Hillsborough County as safe as it can be,” she concluded.
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