Miami goes 7 weeks without a murder for the first time after 63 years

• Miami’s quarantine measures have led the city to being crime free for almost two months now (and counting), which is a first since 1960.
• From February 17 to April 12, local authorities reported that they received a “zero” murder crime.
• Despite the low numbers, department chief Jorge Colina expressed concern that some crimes may be going “underreported”.

Killing and domestic violence cases are reportedly decreasing in Miami and across the country due to extensive “police visibility” and the quarantine orders implemented amidst the novel coronavirus crisis.

In a report, Miami police department chief Jorge Colina said that the city had no murder incidents for over seven weeks from February 17 to April 12. This development is the first time in history since 1960.

“We can say that it’s due to our police high visibility, attributed with the pandemic and the Stay-At-Home order,” the spokesperson of the Miami Police Department told CBS News.

On March 12, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez officially declared a state of emergency in an attempt to flatten the curve of coronavirus. The stay-at-home ordinance has been extended for about six times since then.

Because of this, there has been a significant reduction of crimes, such as murder and domestic violence, in Miami.

However, Miami Police chief Jorge Colina still expressed concern and predicted that domestic violence and child abuse cases could be “underreported”.

Based on the Miami police record, the last time the community experienced a zero homicide case was 63 years ago or in 1957. CBS News stated that the crime-free period lasted for nine weeks and three days.

Meanwhile, Baltimore, Maryland also reported decreasing crime rates ever since the authorities imposed quarantine measures. According to police records, there was at least 34 percent decrease of common assaults; 17 percent decrease in aggravated assaults; and 8 percent decrease in shooting incidents. Aside from that, cases of carjacking and robbery have dropped significantly.

In Los Angeles, on the other hand, there has been a 9.73 percent decrease in violent crimes and 21 percent decrease in homicide. However, there has been an 8 percent increase in domestic violence calls.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also revealed that some regions in the United States are reporting about the growing cases of domestic violence with some victims literally trapped with their abusers, making it harder for authorities to reach out for them.

“Everyone living in confined quarters, with very few options or reliefs, it’s a concern,” Los Angeles sheriff Alex Villanueva said.

Over at Chicago, a 42 percent increase in crime statistics have been reported compared to the same period last year.

Over the last few weeks, they have received reports of robberies and shootings. There was also one instance when they had a total of 19 shooting cases in a day.