Milwaukee tops the charts for being a big city of heavy drinkers, low stress and high poverty. The city may also be climbing the ranks of the nation’s most dangerous cities, as its homicide rate increased by 31 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to a Jan. 1 Milwaukee Police Department press release.
There were 94 homicides in Milwaukee during 2010, compared to the 72 homicides in 2009, according to the MPD release.
The increase could change Milwaukee’s ranking in CQ Press’ list of America’s most dangerous cities in 2011. In 2010, the private research group, which is a branch of Congressional Quarterly Inc., named Milwaukee as the 43rd most dangerous city in the United States based on 2009 crime statistics.
“There are categories of violent behavior on which police tactics can have an impact and have had an impact this year,” Police Chief Edward Flynn said in the press release. “Sadly, a dramatic increase in the number of arguments that ended in deadly violence, coupled with an increase in domestic violence homicides, accounted for 20 more victims this year than last.”
Before the 2010 increase, homicide rates had been steadily declining over the past decade, with a 26 percent decrease since 2000 and a 56 percent decrease since 1990, according to the MPD release.
“We know more about homicide than ever before, thanks to our work with the Homicide Review Commission,” Flynn said. “Victim and suspect information, as well as primary factors that led to the violence, all help provide context to this crime and can guide the development of new and innovative tactics and strategies.”
One noteworthy statistic Flynn provided is that about three of every four homicide victims had a history of crime and had an average of eight arrests. In regards to suspects, 67 percent had a history of crime and averaged 10 arrests each.
Crime on Marquette’s campus is significantly lower than the rest of Milwaukee, but that does not mean students should be any less cautious. Last year, one shooting happened on the 1800 block of State Street, located just off campus. A group of students were some of the first to respond. One person died and another was left in critical condition as a result of the shooting.
“I remember a couple of people (got shot) around campus last year, so it is a bit of a concern,” said Brendan Sullivan, a junior in the College of Business Administration. “But I do know that our public safety will be keeping us safe, which is very comforting to know.”
The 2009 statistics CQ Press used to determine rankings included the crime categories of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault and burglary. America’s top three most dangerous cities are St. Louis, Camden, N.J. and Detroit, according to the data.
