Homicide Rates Decreasing

In Milwaukee, Wisconinsin the murder rates have decreased by nearly a third in the past year. Miwaukee is now one of the nations best with thier newly lowered murder rate. Although some US cities murder rates increased such as in New York and Chicago. Some of the other cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Los Angeles had fewer violent crimes this year than what they have had the previous year.

A recent study done by Northeastern University showed that African American teenagers murdering eachother is rising, Milwaukee rates show something different. In Milwaukee the number of African American men that range from the ages 15 to 29 has decreased nearly 2/3. In 2007 they had 54 deaths, last year they only had 19.

Homicide rates also dropped from 105 to 71 in the past year, decreasing 32 percent. This is the lowest number theyve had since 1985. Gun deaths have also decreassed. Milwaukee police union president gives credit to Police chief Edward Flynn to the decrease in murders. he has assigned officers to patrol the city by foot, and handle lower priority complaints by phone. He has brought many suprises to Milwaukee, but these suprises are welcomed.

Nationwide crime statics seem to be lowering. Detroit had a 13% drop in slayings, Philadelphia had 15% drop in murders, and Baltimore had 17% less homicides, Cleveland had 24% drop in homicides but none of the cities are celebrating these decreases. they are still disapointed in the numbers of deaths. Mayor franklin Jackson from Cleveland said, "If one person gets killed, its a problem. These are not just statistics. Somebody cared about these people."

I think that it is important that many of the police forces in larger cities are brainstorming for new was to try to lower the death rates, because like Jackson said, everyone's life matters. It is awesome that the rates in some cities have decreased up to 2/3, but its a good thing that the police forces aren't celebrating. Its a terrific accomplishment, but people are still dying. But they are working their best to secure everyones safety.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28479772/