Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford has told WOKV in previous interviews that local residents have been stepping up and making a difference.

"Massive community support, which we now have.  People are working closely with the Sheriff's Office now than ever before.  Our tips are up".

St. Johns and Nassau Counties saw an even bigger drop with 17 and 33% respectively.

Here is the official news release from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement:

ORLANDO - Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey today announced that crime in Florida is down 7.9 percent for the first half of 2009. The figure is part of the 2009 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report which was released today, providing a preliminary indication of this year's crime figures. The report reflected decreases in all seven crime categories (murder, robbery, aggravated assault, forcible sex offenses, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) over the same period last year. Violent crime is down by 9.7 percent for the first six months of the year while non-violent crime declined 7.6 percent.

"The decrease in the volume of crime is a very encouraging sign," said Governor Crist. "Public safety is a priority across the state, and the proactive programs and policies we are putting in place will continue to make a difference in keeping our streets and communities safe. I thank law enforcement officers across our state for their service in protecting the people of Florida."

Governor Crist and FDLE Assistant Commissioner Mark Zadra announced the crime figures at the FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center, where the Governor visited one of seven FDLE crime laboratories. The lab provides timely, expert and professional examination of evidence to assist in the investigation, prosecution and exclusion of criminal offenses. FDLE scientists in Orlando conduct analysis in eight forensic disciplines: biology and DNA, gunshot residue, chemistry, firearms, latent prints, toxicology, crime scene and trace evidence.

"The first half of the year is typically a good indicator as to what's ahead for the rest of the year," said Commissioner Bailey. "We applaud Florida law enforcement for their hard work."

The Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report showed an 18.8 percent decrease in the number of murders, a 4.1 percent decrease in the number of forcible sex offenses, a 13 percent decrease in robberies, an 8.9 percent decrease in aggravated assault, a 3.9 percent decrease in burglary, a 7.0 percent decrease in larceny, and a 23.1 percent decrease in motor vehicle thefts.

The report includes data submitted by 404 law enforcement agencies for crimes reported from January through June of this year. The report reflects crime volume only; crime rate, which takes into account population, is calculated in the annual report. The complete 2009 Semi-Annual Crime in Florida, Uniform Crime Report, including county-by-county breakdowns, can be found on FDLE's Web site: www.fdle.state.fl.us/fsac/ucr/.