Homicides across dozens of U.S. cities increased by nine percent over the first three months of 2016 compared to the same period last year.
The report, by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, analyzed crime reported by 63 municipal and county departments from more than 50 cities and metropolitan areas, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington and Miami. Combined, the agencies reported 1,365 homicides through March, up from 1,251 over the same period last year.
The report found that there were 1,365 homicides from January through March of this year, compared with 1,251 in 2015. Numbers for rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and non-fatal shootings were at 4,673 from 3,855 in 2015.
Chicago experienced one of the biggest homicide increases, with 141 homicides in 2016 compared with 83 in 2015. Other cities with increases included Dallas (45 homicides in 2016 compared with 26), Jacksonville, Fla., (30 in 2016, 18 in 2015), Las Vegas (40 and 22), Los Angeles (73 and 55), Memphis (48 and 31), Nashville (20 and 13), and San Antonio (34 and 23).
The report showed that a few cities reported a decrease in homicides, including Charlotte, Houston, New York City, Oakland, and Tulsa.