The Compton Bulletin Online - LOCAL NEWS
Murder Rate Drops for Third Straight Year
Decrease in homicides tied to better community outreach, enhanced gang suppression, multi-agency partnerships
By Allison Jean Eaton
Bulletin Editor
COMPTON—Continuing the trend of the last two years, the city’s homicide rate further fell in 2008, law enforcement officials said.
Murders in this 10.5-square-mile city heavily populated by gangs dropped to 28, while in county unincorporated areas policed by Compton Sheriff’s Station, 10 murders were recorded, up from seven last year, for a year-end total of 38.
That’s five less than last year’s 43 murders, with 36 originating from within city limits and seven in unincorporated areas in 2007.
Although this year’s decrease appears small, Capt. William Ryan said Friday, Jan. 9 that when compared to homicide totals from just three years ago in 2005, when 76 people were murdered, the homicide rate has been slashed in half.
This year’s total is the lowest the city has experienced in decades.
“I think it is in large part due to our enhanced enforcement efforts,” Ryan told The Bulletin.
Of the 38 killings this year, 31 were gang-related, continuing the yearly trend of most homicides being directly tied to gang activity.
No comments:
Post a Comment