Hartford homicide rates nearly cut in half compared to last year

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Hartford has had 14 homicides in the city so far this year: 30 less than this time last year, police said.

In April, Hartford police arrested 13 people that call themselves “get money steppas,” or GMS for short, that face a long list of charges, including their roles in murders, shootings drug deals, car thefts and more.

“There are certain people who we believe are the catalysts who do a lot of violence not only homicides but shootings within the city, by putting the right people in jail stop some of that but not only are homicides down but shootings are down as well,” Lt. Aaron Boisvert with the Hartford Police Department said.

The video below aired on Sept. 16.

Hyacinth Yennie, chair of the Maple Avenue Revitalization, said that with the homicide rate down, the peace was felt this summer. She said that Hartford needs a break from the bad perception that the homicide rates bring.

Boisvert said that with the homicide rates down, the police department has more time to focus on some other cases that have come along well.

Watch the full video above.

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