Crime reporting data released by the Boston Police Department shows that violent crime is largely steady and property crime is up in the city from Jan. 1 through April 19 compared to last year.

There have been 15 murders this year, compared with 19 at the same point last year. However, there has been a marked jump in non-fatal shootings with 58 this year compared to 39 at this point last year. Gun arrests are also up — 203 this year compared to 164 at this point last year.

The biggest improvements have been seen in Dorchester and South Boston — the BPD’s Area C — which has seen a 50 percent drop in homicides year to year. There were 12 murders in Area C at the April 19 mark last year and only six this year.

Vehicle thefts and attempted vehicle thefts are up — 814 this year compared with 671 at April 19 last year.

About The Author

John Guilfoil is the editor-in-chief of Blast: Boston's Online Magazine and the Blast Magazine Network. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweet @johnguilfoil.

Leave a Reply