Today we mark what appears to be a milestone for D.C.: 2012 saw fewer than 100 homicides.

As of Monday morning the homicide count was 92, the lowest annual tally since 1963.

It’s worth noting that MPD’s official tally is 88 homicides. That number does not include four deaths that were ruled self-defense. Homicide Watch D.C. counts those cases because the cause of death listed on the case records is homicide and MPD includes those cases in tallying homicide case closures at the end of the year.



For the past two weeks we’ve brought you a comprehensive review of 2012, including an interview with Police Chief Cathy Lanier, an analysis of our data, and the personal stories of those in our community.

We’ll round out the rest of this week with just one or two more Year in Review stories, including a links roundup of all of the end-of-year homicide count reports and reporting from MPD’s year-end press conference scheduled for later this week.

Our Kickstarter supporters who contributed at the $50 level will be receiving their e-books of this package shortly. We hope you enjoy, or have enjoyed, reading it.

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Thank you.