In 2023, after four consecutive years of rising homicides, the Hampton Roads area experienced a slight decrease in the number of killings. The total number of slayings for the year was 215, marking a 7.3% decline from the previous year’s total of 232, as reported by The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press based on data provided by local police departments.
The most significant reduction was observed in Norfolk, a city that typically leads the region in total homicides but ended up in second place last year. The number of killings in Norfolk dropped by 33%, from 61 to 42. This decrease brought Norfolk close to returning to its pre-pandemic average of around 37 homicides per year. Similarly, Chesapeake also saw a notable decrease, with 14 killings in 2023, reflecting a 44% reduction from the previous year.
However, Newport News experienced a significant increase in homicides, recording 46 killings in 2023, which was a 48% rise from the previous year. This figure included a case being investigated by the State Police, making it the highest homicide count for Newport News in at least 54 years and marking the first time the city led the region in homicides in recent memory.
In other areas, Hampton saw a 21% increase in homicides, reaching 29, while Virginia Beach remained steady at 23. Conversely, Suffolk recorded a 15% decrease, with 11 killings in 2023. In smaller jurisdictions, there were three killings in Gloucester and Isle of Wight, two each in Smithfield and Franklin, and one in York County. Notably, Williamsburg, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, and Poquoson did not report any homicides in 2023.
Portsmouth continued to have the highest homicide rate per capita in the region, with 39 killings in 2023. Although this represented a 7% decrease from the previous year, the city’s homicide rate was reported at 41 per 100,000 residents, over six times higher than the national average. This was followed by Newport News with 25 homicides per 100,000 people, Hampton with 21, Norfolk with 18, and Suffolk with 11. Chesapeake reported 5.5 killings per 100,000 people, while Virginia Beach had just over five, and the smaller cities and counties in the area combined for 3.2 per 100,000 people.
Overall, Hampton Roads closed out 2023 with a combined homicide rate of approximately 12.3 killings per 100,000 people, which is roughly double the expected national and Virginia rates of 5.5 and 6.5, respectively. According to criminologist James Alan Fox from Northeastern University, the 7.3% reduction in total killings in the region in 2023 was in line with the 12% decrease seen in the nation’s largest cities, indicating a positive trend. However, Fox noted that there is still progress to be made to return to pre-pandemic homicide levels nationally.
In a December 2023 article discussing Newport News’ surge in homicides, Police Chief Steve Drew emphasized the impact of each slaying on families and communities, highlighting the need for addressing the root causes of violence. Looking ahead, Fox predicted that cities with significant increases in homicides in 2023 are likely to see a decline in numbers this year, with early indications showing positive trends on the Peninsula.
In conclusion, while the Hampton Roads region experienced a decrease in homicides in 2023, there are still challenges to address to ensure the safety and well-being of communities. With efforts to reduce violence and address underlying issues, there is hope for continued progress in combating crime and making the region a safer place for all residents..
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