Houston is the most populous city in Texas, and is still a fast growing community. When considering a move to the Houston metropolitan area, families and businesses always check our crime rate. These statistics give people an idea what kind of crime they can expect and whether they can feel safe in our area. It also gives current residents an idea of what is going on in our city. If you’ve been arrested or need to navigate the legal system, it is always good to know what kinds of challenges are facing our system.
Homicide Rates Are Up
Houston could be on pace for nearly 400 homicides by the end of the year. The number of murders in the city has reached the highest point in more than a decade. This is a high the city hasn’t seen since 1993, when there were 447 homicides and about 500,000 less people living in the city. Violent crime overall has been increasing in recent months because of a higher number of aggravated assaults, crime data shows.
Violent Crime Statistics
Even with people quarantined for so long violent crime numbers are up. The murder rate dipped below 300 in the last three years, but it is up nearly 25 percent from 2019, with three more weeks still left in the year. 345 people have been killed in violent crimes in Houston so far this year. If the current murder rate continues, with an average of 7.6 homicides per week in 2020, there could be nearly 400 homicides by the end of the year. Police have attributed at least 345 deaths this year to murder, effectively ending a four-year predominantly downward trend.
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic violence and abuse is also up all over the country, the Houston area is no exception. There are many potential reasons for this. People never having a break from each other, money and safety fears, and child care limitations are major stressors.
Data shows family violence is intensifying and occurring at a higher rate in the Houston region during the pandemic, and as the holiday season gets underway, advocates fear another spike. The number of people killed by family violence in Harris County increased 58 percent from March through October compared to the same time frame last year, according to data from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. There were 12 family violence murders from March through October 2019, compared to 19 this year.
The sheriff’s office responded to 204 calls for service for aggravated family violence from July through October, compared to 137 during the same time frame in 2019 — nearly a 49 percent increase. There were 1,897 calls for service for family violence assaults from July through October, compared to 1,450 during those months last year — a 32 percent increase.
The Houston Police Department also reports seeing increases in domestic violence homicides, rapes, aggravated assaults and sex offenses. There were 15,287 responses to incidents in those categories from March through September, according to data compiled by the HPD, compared to 14,534 in 2019.
Fast, Affordable Bail with ABC Bail Bonds
If you’re able to get out on bail, doing so might save your life and the lives of other inmates. Call ABC Bail Bonds in Houston and any of the surrounding areas to get yourself or a loved one out of jail as soon as possible. We know you can’t afford to wait for your court date in jail, which is why we work hard to help you get back to your life. If we can, we’ll bail you out, no questions asked! We look forward to helping you.
