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Annual homicides in Detroit could fall below 300

detroit police car
Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

For the first time in years, Detroit Police say the city is on track to have fewer than 

300 homicides this year. 
 
The number of homicides in Detroit is down about 20% from last year, according to the most recent information the police department issued back in June. 
 
Police Chief James Craig spoke with Stateside earlier this summer:
 
"Folks in the coffee shop are walking up to me," says Craig.
 
"'Thank you chief, we see a difference, we feel safer.' And this a constant conversation I'm having."
 
Detroit's population is also declining, so a better comparison is to look at the number of homicides per 100,000 residents, which aDetroit News analysis also shows is on the decline. 

Kate Wells is a Peabody Award-winning journalist currently covering public health. She was a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist for her abortion coverage.