REPORT: Crime in Cocoa Decreases Nearly 10-Percent In 2019, Lowest Crime Rate in More than 20 Years

Fourth consecutive year of crime reduction

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Another year of continued crime reduction coupled with increases in successful case clearances highlighted the year for the Cocoa Police Department.

As of December 1st, the total number of crimes reported was down approximately 9.5% compared to 2018.

The downward trend in the crime rate marks the 4th consecutive year of crime reduction and marks one of the lowest crime rates in the city in more than 20 years. (December data will not be complete until January).

During the calendar year (as of December 1st), the men and women of the department responded to 55,060 calls for service. In addition, dispatchers answered more than 21,777 calls.

Traffic complaints were among the most common issues and special enforcement resources were dedicated to address problem areas including locations where traffic fatalities occur.

In addition to the targeted traffic enforcement operations, special proactive enforcement operations were also deployed to address drug and prostitution complaints in small sectors of the city including Peachtree Street near Prospect Park.

The random enforcement operations yielded multiple arrests and contributed to a reduction in the violence associated with the criminal activity in the area.

Community outreach continued to be a priority for the agency, which partnered with its non-profit, Cocoa Community First, to impact the lives of hundreds of children and families in the city through Cops and Kids Summer Camp, the first STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) Summer Camp at Endeavour Community Partnership School, support of the Police Athletic League, and many more programs.

The department also received national recognition through Central Square Technologies Share Blue Smiles Campaign which featured the Autism Awareness patrol car campaign and its positive impact on a young child.

Department leadership also continued to meet with the area’s faith leaders to collaborate on finding solutions to current social issues such as homelessness and the opioid epidemic plaguing the nation.

In 2019, the department introduced its first ever female SWAT officer.

The annual Space Coast Police K9 Competition saw its first international competitors. The agency said goodbye to retired K9’s Cairo and Timber, both of which passed away in 2019.

The K9 unit was also cast on A&E Network’s new television series, America’s Top Dog which is set to premier in January 2020.

“We are proud of our accomplishments throughout the year and look forward to another year of successful community policing,” said Chief Mike Cantaloupe.

“We are beginning steps now to create a strategic plan for the next five years and are excited to be partnering with our residents on this project. We want to continue to improve and provide the best and most professional public safety service available.”

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