Photo by Matt.Dunn

Fifth District Citizens’ Advisory Council chairman Robert Vinson Brannum sent a notice out today to the MPD-5D listserv today highlighting homicide statistics that speak for themselves:

The current number of homicides in DC stands at 138; at the same point last year, we experienced 184. This is a 25% reduction thus far this year. The 2008 total was 186. In 1991, DC recorded 479 homicides, its worst murder rate in the past 20 years. In the ensuing years, homicides progressively dropped in this city. This year, DC will record its lowest number of homicides in about four decades.

Barring an unspeakably awful next couple of days, it appears that 2009 will prove to be a banner year for those who are against murders taking place in the District. Take the broader view and the news looks even better: Between 1995 and 2008, violent crime rates have fallen from 2,661.4 (per 100,000 individuals) to 1,414.3 — or nearly by half.