Crime is down

According to the police department, in February the total number of crimes committed in the city was 26.5% lower than a year earlier. This was primarily due to a drop in the number of thefts (down 40.45%) and robberies (down 32.7%).

The number of murders went down less noticeably, from 22 to 21, while the number of shootings increased by 75% (77 against 44 in February 2020). There was also a 7.9% decrease in the assault category.

Over the year, homicides dropped by 17.1%, from 961 to 797, although carjackings increased by 15.5% there were 543 such crimes in February. The number of rapes also dropped to 96, or 26.2%, although law enforcers believe not all victims report the incidents.

There were also 36 hate crimes, which is 42% fewer than in February last year. However, there was a 100% increase, from 3 to 6, in the number of incidents caused by "wrong" sexual orientation, with Jews, African-Americans and Asians being the most frequent victims of negative attitudes.

The main focus of the police continues to be combating offences involving weapons, especially firearms. Cooperation with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies is allowing greater prosecutions for their transportation, sale and use. In February alone, 400 people were arrested under these offences, or 63.9% more than in the same month in 2020.