According to published official crime statistics there were 269 homicides in Baltimore in 2005. This number is suspect to say the least. You could call crime numbers grossly under-reported, low balled, fudged,rounded down to the nearest one hundred or you can say the numbers just aren't kosher. Rumors abound in Baltimore that City Hall is under-reporting crime figures as to not hurt the tourist trade which adds more than $49 million a year in revenue and countless tens of millions in indirectly related revenue. The reported numbers used as a source for the CNN/Morgan Quitno report give Baltimore city the highest homicide rate per 100,000 of all U.S. cities of 250,000 or more population. Strange as it may seem the reported number of 269 is significantly lower than the record-high 353 homicides in 1993(reported),this lower number is often given as proof of a reduction in crime in Baltimore city. But is this number accurate?
Well you decide, here are the facts:
- 353 homicides reported (this number may not include Jane/John Does) in 1993
- 269 homicides reported (roughly 1+ homicide per a day occurs) in 2006
- Jane/John Doe homicide victims may get classified suspicious deaths 2006
- Raw crime data not publicly available, only generalized summary's from City Hall
- No major organized gangs reported(low profile gangs run vice trade) 1993
- Bloods,Crips and Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13 are just a few major gangs active 2006
- Overall population has decreased since 1993 by -17% or more
- 40% of all children live well below the poverty level* in 2007
- Since 1993 the middle class fled the city in record numbers
- Between 1993 to 2006 children living below the poverty line* have increased 7%
- Increase poverty and Increase social ills minus tax base equals increase in crime (Ipoverty+Isocial ills)-(-Decreased tax base)=Increased crime
- Very few manufacturing jobs in city
- Plenty low paying service industry jobs (McDonalds,waiter,janitor,stock boy)
- Workforce is unskilled and grossly undereducated in 2007 compared to 1993
- Price of legal and illegal handguns have decreased since 1993 to all time lows
- Increased substance abuse directly related to increase in poverty
- Illegal drug prices down since 1993 which leads to increased competition
- Monitoring of public safety communications supports 1+ murder a day
- Confidence in the police has decreased year by year due to mistrust and scandal
The homicide rate in Baltimore is nearly seven times the national rate, six times the rate of New York City, and three times the rate of Los Angeles. City Hall claims,"In addition, other categories of crime in Baltimore have also been declining, although overall crime rates are still high compared to the national average. The rate of forcible rapes has fallen below the national average in recent years; however, Baltimore still has much higher-than-average rates of aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and theft.". So how does the Mayor and the city council justify the claims of falling crime rates?
Though the crime situation in Baltimore is considered one of the worst in the nation, city officials have pointed out that most violent crimes, particularly homicides, are committed by people who know their victims and who are often associated with the illegal drug trade. So this makes it OK? We should some how feel safe knowing the criminal element is killing each other off and just ignore those stray bullets. Each one of those victims associated with the illegal drug trade have family. Each death effects others, sending ripples through their environment, impacting other ripples from other homicides and so on and so on. Cause and effect.....
*
2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines
| Persons in Family or Household | 48 Contiguous States and D.C. | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,210 | $12,770 | $11,750 |
| 2 | 13,690 | 17,120 | 15,750 |
| 3 | 17,170 | 21,470 | 19,750 |
| 4 | 20,650 | 25,820 | 23,750 |
| 5 | 24,130 | 30,170 | 27,750 |
| 6 | 27,610 | 34,520 | 31,750 |
| 7 | 31,090 | 38,870 | 35,750 |
| 8 | 34,570 | 43,220 | 39,750 |
| For each additional person, add | 3,480 | 4,350 | 4,000 |
SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 15, January 24, 2007, pp. 3147–3148
