Houston Records no Murders in 10-Day Stretch, Yearly Rate Declines

October 20, 2009 - For the first time in recent memory, the Houston Police Department reported no murders in the city for 10 consecutive days, from October 10 thru October 20.

“The murder rate is nearly impossible to control or predict in any city,” said HPD Chief Harold Hurtt.

He noted that the HPD’s veteran Homicide investigators cannot recall a single week in the past decade without a murder in Houston.

“We welcome this lull in violent crime,” he said, “due, perhaps, to an increased focus of police resources to hot spots throughout the city.”

Year-to-date, 232 murders have been reported in the city compared to 242 during the same time period in 2008, which represents a 4.13% decrease.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 .