2010 Homicide Rate Starting Off Even Lower than 2009

[TheseGoTo11]

Through the first 4 months of the year, city-wide total is 29 compared to 39 last year, west of the Anacostia remains quiet (again just counting actual homicides, not shootings) - just 9 in the official count, a pace for 27, way down from about 70 last year

Carver Langston and Trinidad combined have had one, this could go up easily with another summer flare-up

while gentrification is playing a role in certain areas, again have to acknowledge Chief Lanier for a remarkable drop that is not being seen in other cities - including nearby places like Richmond, Balt, and Philly - all of which have homicide rates per 100,000 higher than ours now - Baltimore's rate is nearly double ours now, and was actually lower than DC's in the 90s

[14thandYou]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

while gentrification is playing a role in certain areas, again have to acknowledge Chief Lanier for a remarkable drop that is not being seen in other cities

I agree. I may have qualms with some aspects of District government, but the MPD is doing a fine job.

I'd still be shocked if DC ended the year with a homicide rate under 100, but there's no question that DC is top-to-bottom becoming a safer city.

[mikeyo321]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

Through the first 4 months of the year, city-wide total is 29 compared to 39 last year, west of the Anacostia remains quiet (again just counting actual homicides, not shootings) - just 9 in the official count, a pace for 27, way down from about 70 last year

Carver Langston and Trinidad combined have had one, this could go up easily with another summer flare-up

while gentrification is playing a role in certain areas, again have to acknowledge Chief Lanier for a remarkable drop that is not being seen in other cities - including nearby places like Richmond, Balt, and Philly - all of which have homicide rates per 100,000 higher than ours now - Baltimore's rate is nearly double ours now, and was actually lower than DC's in the 90s

Question for you, where do you find the homicide stats on D.C.'s MPD site? I couldn't find it.

That said, this sounds like a remarkable (if quiet) development. It's interesting how from time to time I STILL come across (usually older) people who go on about DC being all about "Dysfunctional City", Mayor Barry, crack and the "murder capital of the US" as if nothing has changed since 1990. Sure, the city still has plenty of issues but hopefully the perceptions that were so quickly slapped on DC in the past and have been so slow to change are finally starting to turn and credit can be given where it's deserved.

[KStreetQB]

I don't think the lack of murders is any indication of a lack of trying. There haven't been any murders around me, but there hasn't been a month without gunfire. We're just seeing a lower quality thug in my neighborhood anyway.

[14thandYou]

Originally Posted by KStreetQB

There haven't been any murders around me, but there hasn't been a month without gunfire.

Yeah, well, welcome to Shaw.