Dominican Republic posts lowest homicide rate in 10 years

Santo Domingo.- During the first eight months Dominican Republic posted the lowest homicide rate of the last 10 years, or 16.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, down from the 18.6 in the same period a year ago, Justice minister Francisco Domínguez affirmed Thursday.

He said 1,063 killings were reported from January to August, 140 fewer cases than the 1,203 in 2013. June posted the fewest deaths with 123, while March’s 189 were the most cases.

According to statistics the official revealed in a press conference, El Seibo, Espaillat and Independencia provinces posted the highest homicides rate, with Sánchez Ramírez, Azua and Valverde the lowest.

Most homicides were reported in the provinces with the highest populations, such as Santo Domingo, the National District and Santiago.

Extrajudicial deaths

The study also found a jump in the number of killings by the National Police in that period: 138 people, or 33 more compared with the same period in 2013, or 105 cases.