Image Source: Detroit Free Press BY NICHOLE CARTMELL ANCHOR BY ZACH TOOMBS Detroit published its crime stats for 2012 this week, and after an alarming increase in the number of homicides, it’s clear the city saw its deadliest year in decades. According to the Detroit Police Department , there were 375 homicides, a 12 percent increase from last year. That means there were 53 homicides for every 100,000 residents. The city’s homicide rate hasn’t been this high since 1994, when there were 54 homicides for every 100,000 people. The Detroit Free Press notes the majority of killings in 2012 were shootings — 333 gun deaths in all. And many of the cases involved suspects who were acquainted with their victims. Detroit’s Police Inspector points out the homicide section of the department has fewer investigators than in years past but has managed to close more than 150 cases in 2012. Though Detroit’s Interim Police chief says... “Gun play is a national problem...” Adding that dealing with the city’s crime problem “...lies not only with the police department; it lies with the press, it lies with the principal and it lies with the preacher and it lies with the parent.” So, how does Detroit compare with other cities across the country? NBC News reports homicides have declined nationally. But, the homicide rate in Chicago went up nearly 17 percent this past year. The number topped out at 500. The number of homicides in Philadelphia increased from 324 to 331 in 2012. But in St. Louis, the number of homicides totaled well below the average for the past five years, at 113. And Washington D.C. saw the biggest positive change - 88 homicides in 2012, the lowest total number of homicides since 1961. WDIV says Detroit’s crime report for this past year does show a few encouraging trends... The numbers of aggravated assault, burglary and rape cases all decreased by at least 2 percent. But Charlie Leduff for WJBK in Detroit believes the police department is responsible for stopping this growing trend and is calling for change. “In the end, it doesn't do any good blaming everybody else. we're gonna need a plan. we're gonna need police. and we need a change.” (SOC) ###