The number of homicides spiked in August, with nine from Aug. 4 to 26. So the more attention we can devote to known hot spots and gang members, the better we can stem further violence. Of the 37 homicides, eight resulted from domestic violence, which is about double the number a year ago but less than the 12 recorded in 1997, said Detective Sgt. Tom McGranahan, who supervises the Domestic Violence Reduction Unit. It hasn't been that many that fast, and I don't know why.
Detectives plan to collaborate more with the domestic violence unit.
A grant is also enabling investigators to follow up on domestic violence calls, even if they do not involve an arrest. Fewer homicides involved guns in 1999, with 19 compared to 24 in 1998. But police saw an increase in stabbings, from three to eight. The 31 deaths recorded in 1998 marked the city's fewest since 1971, when there were 15. Experts attribute the ongoing decline in killings and the crime rate to several factors, including the aging of baby boomers, a decline in the crack cocaine market, a healthy economy with low unemployment and increased community involvement.