According to the Citizen’s Safety Observatory, during the first half of 2014, the rate of homicides went down by 6.7% over last year, with a rate of 18.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, or a total of 906 homicides.
March had the highest number of deaths with 191, January 141, February 131, April 165, May 150 and June 123. Santo Domingo and the National Districts had the highest number of deaths with 93 and 218 murders respectively, followed by Santiago with 96 and San Cristobal with 59. The lowest numbers were in Santiago Rodriguez and Pedernales with four apiece.
In the first half of 2013 there were 971 cases. Domestic issues continue to be the main cause.
Most murders are committed with firearms and at the weekend on public streets. The most common victims are young men from 20 to 34 years old.
The study supported by the National Police, shows that 89% of the victims of homicide are men 93% less than last year). Of the remaining 11%, almost half are classified as femicides, which is an increase of 53% over the first six months in 2013.
Traffic accident deaths have gone down by 1.5% over 2013, with a rate of 18.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, reflecting 901 deaths.
March and April were the worst months as they included the eight days of Easter Week, which were the most lethal.
The main cause of traffic deaths was collisions between vehicles that occurred in 54% of cases, followed by collisions between vehicles and motorcycles.
Read more in Spanish: http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/8/13/333492/Homicidios-cayeron-un-67-este-ano-segun-Observatorio