2004 Crime Stats

Most of the following information is from a MPD email (the format is mine).

As of noon Friday, December 31, 2004:

homicides for 2004: 196 (down 21% from 2003's 248)
-The last time DC recorded fewer than 200 homicides was 1986 (194).
-The 1994 figure was 399.
-The 1991 figure was 482 (the current record).
- All districts recorded fewer homicides for 2004, except for the 2nd district, which reported a total of 3 murders (an increase of 1 from 2003).
-Guns were used in 77%, knives in just under 10%.
-The most common motives were arguments, retaliation, drugs and robberies.
-96% of victims were Black (84% male, 12% female).
-24 victims were under 18 (double the number for 2003).
-4 juveniles were arrested for murder.
-The closure rate was just under 60% (similar to 2003's rate).

Overall crime is down in every major category and in all districts.
Traffic fatalities fell 35% (the lowest in at least 18 years).
Arrests and firearm recoveries increased.

To put that in perspective:
The Census Bureau estimate for DC's 2003 population was 563,384.
The Census Bureau estimate for the DC metro area's 2002 population was 5,162,029.