Crime & Safety

Number of Gun Crimes in San Diego County Declines

Fewer crimes involved guns over the first nine months of this year when compared to last year, according to the San Diego Association of Governments.

The number of crimes involving firearms reported in San Diego County over the first nine months of this year is down compared to similar periods last year and five years ago, the San Diego Association of Governments reported Friday.

The 1,187 gun-related crimes reported to law enforcement from January through September was down 6 percent in the same period of 2012, and 13 percent lower than 2008, according to SANDAG, the regional planning agency.

SANDAG said of gun-related crimes this year, 36 percent have been aggravated assaults, 25 percent robberies and 2 percent homicides.

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However, out of all aggravated assaults reported through September, only 9 percent involved firearms. Robbers were armed with guns in 19 percent of holdups, according to SANDAG.

So far this year, 37 percent of the 62 homicides in the region involved a gun, compared to 46 percent of the 114 homicides in 2012 and 50 percent of the 84 killings in 2011.

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The study found that most gun-related crimes occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight, and in 78 percent of the zip codes in the region. And while the number of crimes involving firearms is dropping, 56 percent of San Diegans believe it is rising, according to SANDAG.

-- City News Service


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