The number of homicides statewide plummeted 39 percent last year over 2011, according to figures provided by State Police, who attributed the dramatic decline in part to a more vigorous focus on violence-plagued areas.
“We’re targeting the impact players and going into the areas we know where the violent crime occurs,’’ said Lieutenant Colonel Francis Matthews, commander of the Division of Investigative Services.
Comments
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Matthews, commander of the Division of Investigative Services and his team do great work. Matthews worked at the BPD Gang Unit for several years. That experience helped him develop this highly successful effort. Kudos to the State Police.
Huh? Kudos to the State Police? Wow, it's the down and dirty street work of the local cops that make the difference. The State Police sure think their you know what doesn't stink.
Crime, especially homicide, is cyclical. It goes up and down depending on the young male population. Right now there is not a high young male population. In a few years the homicicde rate,unfortunately, will spike again. Anyone in the criminal justice system knows this. I got to hand it to the State Police though, they have a damn good PR guy.