by Charlie Crist

About the author: Charlie Crist, a Republican, is a Florida state senator.

The official nickname of Florida is “The Sunshine State.” The state has the environment of paradise. With gorgeous waters, sandy beaches and the cultural splendor of its major cities, Florida has a lot to offer both citizens and tourists alike.

But for the past few years, a more appropriate nickname for Florida would be “The Crime State.” Criminals have murdered, raped, robbed and maimed innocent citizens. The statistics reveal a grim reality. In December 1994, the Federal Bureau of Investigation rated Florida number one in violent crime. In May 1995, the FBI reported that the three most violent cities in the nation were Florida’s—Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Miami. And in November of 1995, the FBI...