31% and 42%. Those percentages mark the steep increase of homicides and domestic violence-related calls for assistance involving a firearm in 2020 over the year 2019, according to this recent press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
More telling still is that on a local level, in Fresno, California, 2021 homicide rates for the first half of the year have already doubled even though they hit record levels last year.
It’s important not only to understand the content of these glaring statistics but also their weight. Let’s review what these numbers mean at a local level and the larger implications of law reform amongst the backdrop of a true mental health and rehabilitation crisis.
RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD: HISTORICALLY HIGH HOMICIDE RATES AT A LOCAL LEVEL
38. That’s the number of homicides under investigation this year in Fresno, California only seven months into the year. Approximately double the amount of last year at this time, we’re currently on track for a dangerous new record in 2021 that had been set just last year. In 2020, the pace picked up at the end of the year and there were 77 homicide victims. This number set a record for the most homicides in well over two decades.
The uptick even into 2021 is reflected on a national scale so far, with an average 14.9% increase at the time of this writing on July 21, 2021.
But let’s zoom back in for a moment to the 77 homicide victims in Fresno, California last year because those statistics also fit with statewide statistics in an alarming way:
73 of the 77 homicide victims were killed by guns, and four by stabbings.
This matches the unfortunate trend of firearms continuing to be the most common weapon used in homicides, according to the aforementioned California Attorney General press release cited earlier. 74.2% of homicides, where the weapon was identified, involved a firearm.
It’s worthy of noting that, where the contributing circumstance was known, gang-related homicides only made up 28.2%. The highest percentage of homicides were the result of an unspecified argument, and that was 34.2%. And 6.7% were domestic-violence related.
While crime fluctuates, this upward trend not only in homicides but in the use of deadly force will have many looking for answers and harsher punishment in the pursuit of justice.
BALANCING REHABILITATION EFFORTS WITH MANAGING CRIMINALITY
When crime rises, the public often equates the rise in crime with relaxed laws letting offenders out. While many of the law reforms from last year did focus on mitigation and rehabilitation, this is likely to swing toward more conservative reforms in the near future in an effort to correct this rise in crime.
But attempting to manage and stop criminality is like a yo-yo. If there was a perfect answer, we would have it and so — in lieu of a true solution — all we can do is try. The success of any rehabilitation effort depends in part on us understanding the role of trauma and mental illness in relation to crimes, especially violent crimes.
When discussing this delicate topic, I often refer to a previous post about the subject, The Impact of Trauma on A Young Brain: Treating Juvenile Delinquency. As quoted in this blog:
“What happens to you as a child shapes and affects you. Exposure to certain types of violence, poverty, and abuse can normalize harmful behavior and cause kids to self-destruct.”
Just like juveniles, many of those charged with homicides and other violent crimes have had major trauma or have experienced some form of abuse leading to mental health issues.
This knowledge can lead to reforms around screening for mental health issues as well as treatment of these underlying issues before they escalate into more homicides and other forms of violence.
SEEK COUNSEL AND PERSPECTIVE WITH A PROPER DEFENSE
If you or a loved one has been charged with homicide, domestic violence, or other violent crimes, it can be an especially trying time. Seeking Proper Defense right away is vital because you’ll likely be highly reactive and emotional. Be proactive and don’t wait because any statement you make without legal counsel could be to your detriment.
For a true advocate that you can trust, in a judgment-free zone, contact Proper Defense Law Corporation today. For a FREE consultation in the Fresno area, call (559) 825-3800. You can reach us at our Beverly Hills location by calling (424) 284-4066. You can also schedule an appointment online on our Contact Us page. It gets better with Proper Defense, we promise.
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