Although we've already reported on the drop in homicides in the District, an analysis by the Metropolitan Police provides us with a better picture as to the nature of homicide in our city. The MPD is very much pleased with the drop in homicides in 2004. There were only 198 murders in 2004, which is the lowest number of homicides since 1986. In the all-time high in 1991, 482 people were killed in the District.

Here's some statistical context:

Preliminary data show that firearms were used in 77 percent of the homicides in 2004; knives were used in just under 10 percent of the murders. Both figures are similar to percentages from recent years. The most common motives behind the homicides in 2004 were arguments, retaliation, drugs and robberies.

Additionally, nearly all 2004's homicide victims in D.C. were African-American (96 percent). And the juvenile homicide rate doubled over the last year, bringing the murders of the city's youth up to 24 of the 198 total homicides.

MPD Chief Charles Ramsey noted that positive economic development in the city and the police's targeted crime initiatives have contributed to the drop in homicides. We would like to note that despite the relatively rosy news, D.C. was recently ranked the sixth most-dangerous city in the nation.