Shootings, Assaults on the Rise in Boston

By FRANK O’LAUGHLIN (Patch Staff)

Shootings and other violent assaults have been increasing in Boston, statistics from the Boston Police Department reveal.

The department released its crime statistics for the first half of 2015 on Tuesday, showing shootings in the Boston area are up 46 percent — 130 people have been victims of gunfire so far this year, as opposed to 89 people at this time in 2014.

On a more encouraging note, gun related homicides are down from 26 last year to 15 so far this year. Overall shootings across the city are up from 115 to 145. On Monday, three people were shot and wounded in Roxbury in broad daylight.

Conversely, firearm related arrests across the city are down from 258 to 243.

“Firearm arrest data includes default warrant arrests for past firearm charges and arrests for assault by means of a firearm where no gun is recovered, in addition to straight firearm arrests with a gun recovery,” according to BPD.

The number of aggravated assaults is up in Charlestown, Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury, Back Bay, South End and Hyde Park.