Grand Rapids homicides up in 2012

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A murder Saturday night on Dickinson SE, marked Grand Rapids' 18th homicide of 2012, according to preliminary city police statistics.

The number tops 2011's 17 murders, which included a shooting rampage where seven people were killed in one day.

Overall, the numbers are not out of line extremely high compared to the last decade. But for two years -- 2009 and 2010 -- there were only nine murders each year.

2002 - 8 murders

2003 - 11 murders

2004 - 12 murders

2005 - 16 murders

2006 - 23 murders

2007 - 22 murders

2008 - 16 murders

2009 - 9 murders

2010 - 9 murders

2011 - 17 murders

2012 - 18* homicides

*Grand Rapids police warn these numbers are subject to change, not only because the year isn't over yet, but also because police leaders thoroughly examine the numbers before officially releasing them in mid-January.  One case has not officially been ruled a murder.

However, violent crime statistics -- which include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault -- have trended down in the past six full years.

Violent crime dropped 37% between 2006 and 2011.

Violent Crime Statistics

2006 - 1974
2007 - 2065
2008 - 1974
2009 - 1613
2010 - 1642
2011 - 1439

This year's violent crime is up about 10% from last year, but it's still expected to be less than five years ago.