Homicides down sharply over past two years

Through Thursday, Philadelphia police had recorded 189 homicides for the year, a sharp decline over the past two years. Homicides so far this year have declined 8.4 percent from last year, when the total was 205 for the same period. This year's total represents a 41 percent decline over 2007, when the city had 266 homicides through the same period. If homicides continue this year at their present rate, the city would end 2009 with 297 homicides. Philadelphia ended 2008 with 332 homcides and 2007 with 392 homicides, far from the recent high of 503 homicides recorded in 1990.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.