2012 was a crazy year for violent crimes across the nation. Throughout last year Hip-Hop Wired has reported on nationwide violence that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of victims.
Despite the influx homicide stories, the FBI reported that U.S. violent crime rates dropped for the fifth straight year, based on data compiled in 2011. Figures for 2012 have yet to be released.
Perhaps one of the most puzzling and unfortunate cities to experience a homicide rate of epidemic proportions is Chicago. The Windy City had over 500 homicides, last year, and is on pace to surpass those numbers by reaching 700 for 2013. With less than a full month into the year, as of last week, 18 homicides were reported in the Chi.
As community leaders, politicians, and police all vowed to do something to put a dent in the staggering numbers, they have yet to make any marginal changes.
But Chicago isn’t the only place where violence has gotten out of control. Take a look at 10 other cities that put up big numbers in 2012.
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Photo: vosizneias.com
Detroit
In 2012 Detroit came close to fellow Midwest City Chicago with 411 homicides for the year.
New York
For the first time since 1963, New York City saw 414 homicides.
Memphis
As the shooting location for A&E’s crime show The First 48, it’s estimated that one in every 3,734 people were murdered in Memphis. By October of 2012 police responded to 113 homicides.
St. Louis
Just across the river from Chicago, St. Louis had a much lower homicide number with 113, one week before the end of 2012.
Birmingham
In 2012 this Alabama city had 75 reported homicides. Birmingham averaged 6.25 homicides per month, or one every 4.9 days.
Baltimore
With one month left to go in 2012, Baltimore had 198 murders for the year.
Oakland
The Bay Area city had 115 homicides by November of last year, closing in on its 2008 record of 125.
