Acevedo continues to support homicide strategy as numbers skyrocket

HOUSTON –Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo held a press conference Friday morning to deal with the rising number of homicides in the city.

“We’re not going to make any excuses, we’re going to continue to do our best to make a difference,” Acevedo said.

Is HPD’s strategy working? Not yet, according to figures announced by Acevedo.

“Our homicides have increased dramatically,” Acevedo said. “They are up about 44% since the start of the year this morning.”

More than 350 murders in 2020 compared to 2019, when the city recorded 280. Almost 50 homicides have been reported since October 19. These numbers matter because it was on that day that Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a $ 4.1 million funding increase. for HPD to tackle violent crime, including homicide, in six hotspots.

RELATED READING: KPRC 2 Investigates Looks Into Houston Homicide Rise

Asked by KPRC 2 investigating whether Houston taxpayers are getting their money’s worth with this initiative, Acevedo said, “Well, I think the question you have the answer to is, you might not have the answer. , how many murders there would be without this initiative, right?

There is no way to prove Acevedo’s answer as a fact. However, the facts show that homicides have increased. The chief says the coronavirus is having an impact on the staffing of his department while acknowledging that more money is the right answer.

“It’s the $ 4 million investment, but we haven’t spent that money,” Acevedo said.

When asked if this was the right strategy, Acevedo replied without hesitation: “Of course.” Asked again, Acevedo replied, “Absolutely. Absolutely.”

“Because we know, historically, when you increase your footprint in an area, violent crime decreases,” Acevedo added.

When we remind him that the numbers have not dropped since he increased the footprint of the ministry? Acevedo replied: “I don’t know your numbers at the moment.” KPRC 2 Investigates reminded the chief that these were his department numbers.

How many homicides are solved? Much more less in 2020

KPRC 2 Investigates looked at the homicide clearance rate in Houston this year, that is, the number of homicides for which an arrest was made. Here’s a look at what we found.

The outbreak of homicides

Watch a replay of KPRC 2’s Mario Diaz special report that aired Tuesday on the growing number of homicides in the city.