z Adbul tweeted today that the number is ’88′ but without sourcing it. The count WE have is 92. That’s why we starting documenting and counting them openly as they got reported – so the usual end-of-year vanishing act would stop.
There was only one case this year where a homicide was reported by the media and it turned out later the person was badly injured but survived. We deleted that one as soon as the correct information was released.
Sure, they could be excluding the 2 ‘police action’ deaths which nonetheless are still homicides – justifiable homicides that do not progress to charges of murder or manslaughter.
But that leaves 2 others unaccounted for. Mayor Ballard desperately wants the total for the year to be below 100. Is someone fudging the data?
Edit: Abdul pointed out he said ‘murder’ vs. ‘homicide.’ The figure came direct from Mayor Ballard during an interview on Abdul’s program.
Discounting the non-murders is a cheat, still. People died at the hands of others. I do exclude police actions which nonetheless are homicides.
Tags: Homicides · Mayor Ballard4 Comments
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Abdul told me once that he speaks to lots of sources “on background” to get information. As a journalist myself, I understand anonymous sources when that person needs to protect their identity. But anonymous sources for statistics? That’s a stretch.
I don’t think there’s anything being held in confidence regarding it, I figured it would show up either in his column or the media later today. I just wonder who has put this number out there now and why.
Well, the important part is the # is out now. It’ll really bite them in the ass if homicides still go over 100 despite the manipulation they did to get to 88.
You’d think this is the type of thing IMPD would keep track off, some type of ongoing homicide count? I’m almost certain that would fall under the Public Records Act.
My number came from the Mayor today on the radio show.