Baltimore has highest homicide rate of US big cities
BALTIMORE _ Baltimore had the worst homicide rate among the nation's 50 largest cities last year and the second-highest violent crime rate overall, according to crime data the FBI released Monday.
The finding confirms a report released by USA Today earlier this year that branded Baltimore "the nation's most dangerous city."
There were 342 homicides in Baltimore last year, 56 per 100,000 people who live in the city. That's the highest rate of any American city with more than 500,000 people, according to the FBI report, and significantly higher than other big cities.
Detroit which had the highest overall violent crime rate, ranked No. 2 in homicides, with 40 per 100,000 people. Memphis, Tenn., followed (28 homicides per 100,000), along with Chicago (24 per 100,000), Philadelphia (20 per 100,000) and Milwaukee (20 per 100,000). The FBI defines violent crime as a combination of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
So far this year, there have been 216 homicides in Baltimore. According to the latest weekly Baltimore Police Department summary, the rate of killing is down 16 percent from last year. Mayor Catherine Pugh touted the latest figures in a statement responding to the release of the FBI numbers.
"Our efforts to reduce violent crime are producing clear results," Pugh said. "Crime is declining in every category."
_The Baltimore Sun
