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Homicide reports draw range of responses
Homicide reports draw range of responses
Listen to this articleWhile Baltimore‘s top elected and public safety officials are expressing dismay over the 235 homicides recorded in the city during 2013, neighbors to the north have put out a more positive recap.
Baltimore County police said Friday that there were a total of 19 homicides recorded in 2013, part of a four-year cycle with the lowest since the late 1970s.
“Over the past four years, Baltimore County has recorded fewer total homicides than during any four-year period since the Carter administration, as well as a homicide rate that is historically low,” a county press release said.
The 2013 homicide rate in the county was lower than 2012, when 23 homicides were recorded, and 2011, when there were 30, county police spokeswoman Elise Armacost said.
Overall, county police officials said that the homicide rate, calculated as the number of homicides in proportion to the population, was lower in 2013 that in the late 1970s because the population increased by 163,000.
“One homicide is one crime too many,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, in a statement. “Still, we are pleased that by all standards our county is safer than it has ever been.”
The city’s homicide rate topped 2012 statistics, when there were 219 homicides recorded. In 2011, the city posted 196 murders. Commissioner Anthony W. Batts this week pledged to increase foot patrols to help stem the violence in city communities.
