In the Baltimore metropolitan area, 345 people were the victims of homicide in 2006, based on a survey of police departments conducted by The Examiner.
Baltimore City and Anne Arundel and Harford counties saw spikes in homicides, according to preliminary data. Harford County is still waiting for the state medical examiner?s ruling on three deaths.
Howard County?s homicides remained at four for the second year in a row. Baltimore County had fewer slayings than last year, and Carroll County police agencies reported zero killings for the third time in six years.
Carroll County Commissioner Michael Zimmer attributed his county?s low murder rate to a combination of a peaceful population, skilled police and tough prosecutors.
“I think criminals are rather rational actors,” he said. “If they?re going to mess with somebody, they know they?re going to get messed with back in Carroll County.”
Baltimore City?s homicides were up by five, an increase police blame on a culture of criminality among some city residents.
“Baltimore?s a very safe city if you abide by the law,” police spokesman Matt Jablow said. “If you don?t, it can be a dangerous city. A lot of our murder victims don?t want our help. If they?re the victim of a previous crime, they won?t help us solve that crime. As a result, we can?t get the people who harm them off the streets.”
Jablow said 82 percent of the city?s homicide victims have prior criminal records, including 65 percent for violent crime. At the same time, 92 percent of Baltimore City?s suspected murderers have prior records, with 42 percent under the supervision of Maryland?s Division of Parole and Probation.
“It?s just outrageous,” Jablow said. “We lock them up and, for whatever reason, they end up back on the streets only to find themselves murder victims or suspects.”
Baltimore City State?s Attorney spokeswoman Margaret Burns said too many murderers are avoiding capture and punishment.
“It?s a very specific group of offenders causing the problem,” she said. “About half of homicide cases are unsolved every year. We have hundreds and hundreds of unsolved murders in Baltimore City, and people know they?ve gotten away with it, and they will murder again.”
Baltimore City police say they?ve cleared 54 percent of homicides this year, while Baltimore County police claim a 71 percent clearance rate. Anne Arundel police have cleared 68 percent of homicides; Howard police, 75 percent; and the Harford County Sheriff?s Office, 50 percent.
