Detroit police: Murder rate drops 14% in 2013

Detroit Police Department reports 7 percent reduction in overall crime in 2013

DETROIT – The Detroit Police Department is reporting a drop in homicides and violent crimes in 2013 compared to 2012.

There were 333 criminal homicides in the city of Detroit in the year 2013, which is down from 386 in 2012 and 344 in 2011. That is a 14 percent reduction since 2012.

"We're excited. We're trending downward," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who took over the department last July.

Craig thanked Detroit police officers, who had to take a ten per cent pay cut last year.

"Despite that, officers still worked very hard, and were committed to one of the toughest places in America to police."

Deadly shootings dropped 8 percent -- 102 less in 2013 compared to 2012.

Moreover, according to DPD's report, robberies dropped 3.85 percent in 2013. Overall, there was a 7 percent reduction in crime in the city of Detroit.

Sexual assaults actually dropped 14.18 percent -- 926 reported in 2012 and 811 reported in 2013.

However, although burglaries and stolen vehicle reports both decreased, DPD is reporting a slight increase -- 2.4 percent -- in larcenies in 2013 in comparison to 2012.

Craig points out that New York City had the same number of homicides, though it has 8.3 million residents. Detroit has 700,000.

Craig says his crime reduction strategies include reopening precincts, recovering illegal weapons, and using a data driven approach to targeting crime in the worst areas.

"No longer will we stand idly by as criminals run rampant and the good citizens are held captive in their own homes," said Craig.

The Chief also reports improvements in the homicide closure rate, and emergency response times.

He says his goal for 2014 is another ten per cent reduction in crime.

View DPD's full report right here: 2013 year end crime statistics report