Bay Area's 3 Biggest Cities Report Homicide Rates Are Down So Far This Year
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Homicide rates in the Bay Area's three-biggest cities were down for the first half of 2014 compared to the same time period last year.
San Francisco police are reporting the most significant year-to-date drop compared to the other two cities; San Jose and Oakland.
SFPD Chief Greg Suhr said his city is at a record low for homicides this year, which peaked at 52 by July 1st of 2008.
"Last year was the second best year (to this year) at mid-point and even then we were at 21 homicides. This year we're at 14," he said.
Bay Area's 3 Biggest Cities Report Homicide Rates Are Down So Far This Year
Oakland's mid-year rate is 39 homicides compared to 45 in 2013. And in San Jose, police Sgt. Heather Randol said they're rate is also down, but it's relatively close to last year.
"This year, through the end of May we've had 17 homicides. Last year at the same time we had 20," she said.
Randol said there are there are three more homicide investigations for the city of San Jose for the month of June.
Chief Suhr attributes much of the drop to better trauma treatment, lower high school drop out rates and San Francisco's summer jobs program for youth.
