By: Sara Marino, Treasure Coast Newspapers
MARTIN COUNTY — Overall crime in the county increased 14.6 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Crime had been decreasing from 2012 until 2016, when there was a 1 percent bump. Law enforcement officials across the county attributed the double-digit increase of 2017 to people coming here from neighboring counties to commit crimes, particularly from South Florida.
"We have strong anecdotal evidence that the majority of any drugs here come from Broward County and Palm Beach County," Sheriff William Snyder said.
Every year, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement compiles statistics in what it calls the seven major crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft…