Hardly capturing the big picture in focusing on a monthly total:
In 2011, Baltimore police reported 196 homicides, the lowest number since recording 197 homicides in 1978.[1][2] That number is far lower than the peak homicide count of 353 in 1993.[3] The drop in 2011 was significant, but the homicide rate was in the same range as the late 1980s when the city had another 130,000 residents. City leaders credited their sustained focus on repeat violent offenders and an increased community engagement for the continued drop, reflecting a nationwide decline in crime.[4] However, Baltimore\'s decline was short-lived, as a reported 219 and 235 homicides were committed in 2012 and 2013, respectively