PALM COAST, Fla. — A newly released 2026 community survey found that the vast majority of Palm Coast residents feel safe in their neighborhoods, findings officials say reflect continued crime reductions across Flagler County.
According to the City of Palm Coast’s 2026 National Community Survey, 96% of respondents reported feeling safe in their neighborhoods during the day.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the results align with the agency’s 2025 crime statistics, which showed overall crime declined 32% compared to 2024.
Officials reported:
- Crimes against persons dropped more than 27%
- Property crimes decreased more than 26%
- Crimes against society declined more than 36%
Survey results also showed:
- 92% of residents reported feeling safe in downtown and commercial areas during the day
- 84% said they felt safe from property crime
- 88% said they felt safe from violent crime, a nine-point increase from 2024
- More than 90% said they generally felt safe during daytime hours
Residents also rated sheriff’s office services positively, with 85% rating services as “good” or better and 83% approving of crime-prevention efforts.
Rick Staly credited the results to the agency’s ongoing crime-reduction strategies and “Guardianship Policing” philosophy.
“Public safety and reducing crime are our top priority, and these results show our strategies are working,” Staly said. “When crime goes down and residents feel safer in their neighborhoods, that’s exactly the outcome our team works hard for every day.”
The sheriff’s office said its strategy combines community partnerships, targeted enforcement, intelligence-led policing, and technology-driven investigations.
The survey was conducted by the National Research Center between Jan. 30 and March 15, 2026.
Residents can review the complete survey results through the City of Palm Coast Community Survey Page.