A report released Sunday says the number of Milwaukee homicide victims are down in 2016 compared to the first half of the previous year.
According to the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission Mid-Year Report, 53 people were killed in homicides in the first half of 2016, 21 fewer than the same period in 2015. That's a 28 percent decline.
Non-fatal shootings are down 10 percent this year.
In a news release announcing the numbers, Mayor Tom Barrett applauded the new figures but said the city is still seeing more victims in 2016 that we saw during past ten years."
“Our Police are constantly evaluating their efforts and redeploying their resources. And our Office of Violence Prevention in the Milwaukee Health Department has significantly increased its work to stop violence particularly among young people,” Barrett said.
The report shows a slightly lower number of juvenile homicide victims and suspects this year as well.
The Commission's recommendations include promoting intervention and mediation services to de-escalate arguments and fights that could turn violent.
