Report: Stockton, Calif., has more murders per capita than Chicago

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Stockton, Calif.

/ Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

(CBS/KOVR) STOCKTON, Calif. - The California city of Stockton is making headlines as the largest U.S. city to declare bankruptcy, but it is also dealing with a growing homicide rate that outpaces even Chicago.

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According to CBS Sacramento, a body found in a Stockton park Thursday is being investigated as the city's 33rd homicide of the year. Compare that to the 17 homicides committed by this same time last year.

Although the number of Chicago homicides this year - 240 victims so far - outnumbers Stockton homicides (and even the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan in 2012), Stockton has more murders per capita, CBS Sacramento reports.

The station reports that Stockton has one murder per 8,839 residents while Chicago has one per 11,231 citizens.

Many of the homicides in both cities have reportedly been blamed on gangs. In May, the Stockton police department teamed up with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office to form the San Joaquin Multi-Agency Gang Task Force to combat gang violence, CBS Sacramento reports.

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by Shaira_Leah July 18, 2012 12:51 PM EDT: As you have noticed on today's world, most of crimes are very serious. And when we say serious, we really mean to protect our family especially our kids. As a concerned mom of 3, I will do my best to secure my child's safety. Speaking of child's safety, I am on a safety service with my whole family. I protect them with this personal safety device called safekidzone. In a press of the panic button, you know where they at and what's happening. It can also send some help directly to 911 when there's a real time emergency. you may check them here: http://safekidzone.com/ We can't be always with our kids but with safekidzone, you know when they're in trouble and you will be able to help them.; Reply to this comment


by Jhihmoac June 30, 2012 8:44 PM EDT: ...and they're bankrupt, too...Real good working combination in that burg :P; Reply to this comment


by Davisrad June 30, 2012 10:38 AM EDT: I guess that could be part of why Stockton is broke. Law-abiding folks who work & pay taxes have moved out, leaving thugs, school drop-outs, drug addicts, gangs, etc. - those who sponge off hard-working taxpayers - behind. If I lived out there and this was happening all around me I'd get out as fast as possible. Good luck to those good folks left behind - sounds like you're going to need it.; Reply to this comment