Florida’s Crime Wave of 1938

In 1938, Florida’s crime landscape was dominated by the dark shadow of organized crime, with bootlegging and gangster activity rampant throughout the state. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which began collecting crime data in 1930, Florida saw a significant increase in violent crimes during this period.

The UCR program reported that larceny, or theft, was the most common crime in 1938, accounting for a significant portion of reported crimes. However, it was the rise in violent crimes, particularly homicide and robbery, that caught the attention of law enforcement and the public alike. The FBI UCR program noted that the number of reported homicides in the United States increased by 11% between 1935 and 1938, with Florida seeing its share of this national trend.

Nationally, the 1930s were marked by the rise of organized crime, with infamous gangsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano making headlines. In Florida, bootleggers and gangsters took advantage of the state’s proximity to Cuba, which was a major hub for rum smugglers. The state’s porous borders and lack of effective law enforcement made it an attractive location for those looking to evade the law.

The economic downturn of the Great Depression also played a significant role in Florida’s crime wave. With many people struggling to make ends meet, petty crimes like theft and burglary became more prevalent. The FBI UCR program reported that the number of reported larcenies increased by 15% between 1935 and 1938, with Florida seeing a significant portion of this increase.

Despite the challenges posed by organized crime and economic hardship, law enforcement agencies in Florida made efforts to combat the problem. The Florida State Police, established in 1939, would go on to play a key role in addressing the state’s crime concerns. However, in 1938, the state’s crime landscape remained a pressing concern, with the influence of organized crime and bootlegging casting a dark shadow over the state’s communities.”