Officials optimistic about Baton Rouge murder rate - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Officials optimistic about Baton Rouge murder rate

Posted: Updated: Jan 2, 2013 10:48 PM
Nick Foley - email

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Friday, May 24 2013 9:35 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:35:10 GMT
    According to Biloxi police, a gun went off inside the downtown Biloxi Waffle House early Friday morning. The bullet shattered one of the restaurant's windows. Moments later, the gun's owner was taken
    According to Biloxi police, a gun went off inside the downtown Biloxi Waffle House early Friday morning. The bullet shattered one of the restaurant's windows. Moments later, the gun's owner was taken to jail.  Police say Sam Edward Yu is charged with attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The 21-year-old is from Montgomery, Alabama.

  • Monday, May 13 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-13 16:24:04 GMT
    MARION COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - A weekend-long drug raid left 22 individuals behind bars, and more arrests to come. According to Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall, the drug raid is the result of several
    A weekend-long drug raid left 22 individuals behind bars, and more arrests to come.

  • Friday, May 24 2013 6:49 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:49:03 GMT
    It's a voyage that helps introduce tourists to those small waterfront towns that they may not ordinarily think to visit. A cruise ship docked in Biloxi on Wednesday night. Then on Thursday, passengers
    It's a voyage that helps introduce tourists to those small waterfront towns that they may not ordinarily think to visit. A cruise ship docked in Biloxi on Wednesday night. Then on Thursday, passengers visited several attractions including the Biloxi lighthouse and the visitors center. The Grande Caribe set sail from New Orleans and will continue on until it reaches St. Petersburg. Crew members said it's the stops along the way that makes these small cruises stand out.
    •   
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, there were 67 murders within city limits in 2012. That number was slightly up from 64 reported homicides in 2011.

"We talk in numbers and this is people's lives we're talking about and whether it's a decrease in two or three or increase in three or four it's still someone's loved one," said East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore.

Moore realizes it's easy to lose sight of those affected when analyzing numbers but adds that programs like Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination or BRAVE, are designed to keep the public personally involved and are making a difference.

"The intelligence and numbers tell us that most of the homicides we have are group related, so if we attack the groups then we are going to make a significant impact," added Moore.

What is also significant according to Moore, is that of the 67 murders in the year, 55 came in the first eight months. That drop-off in homicides has local law enforcement officials optimistic.

"The numbers are up but the last four months show some promise. We can't claim any victory right now. We have a long way to go, it's a long process but we need the people themselves and that's where the change is going to come from," said Moore.

Matt Lee is a Criminology Professor at LSU and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research. Lee noted what's important for the average resident, is there has not been a major increase in the number of homicides involving people without a prior relationship.

"I think we're going to have to wait and see what happens over the next six months but that would be a very positive development if that trend does hold but at this point I think it's a little too early to put too much emphasis on," Lee said.

The downward trend in murders near the end of the year was also felt outside of the city limits in East Baton Rouge Parish. EBRSO reported 15 murders in 2012, but only two over the last six months of the year.

Copyright 2013 WAFB. All rights reserved.