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Police report: felony incidents down 34% in two-week period; Fire Rescue outlines recent responses
Summary
Ocala Police reported a 34% reduction in actionable felony crimes over a recent two-week period and new staffing gains. Fire Rescue described a multi-vehicle I-75 rollover and a grease-related structure fire among recent responses.
Police Chief Mike Balkan told the council the department recorded 31 actionable felony crimes in the past two weeks, "which actually represents a 34% reduction compared to last year." He also reported 238 arrests during the period (a roughly 1% reduction) and 1,410 traffic stops tied to a rebuilt traffic unit; Balkan said those stops are concentrated on state roadways and are intended to reduce crash rates.
Fire Chief Clint Welburn summarized Ocala Fire Rescue operations, reporting 106 calls for Engine 1 in the two-week period and responses to three structure fires. Welburn described a multi-vehicle rollover on I-75 that involved multiple semis and a sedan; two patients were trauma-alerted to hospitals. The fire chief also noted community paramedicine calls and on-going call volume year-to-date.
Both chiefs highlighted outreach and recruitment: Balkan said 11 new police officers were sworn in and that the department is working to reduce a roughly 6% vacancy rate. Council thanked public-safety personnel for their work.
