Homicides among black males spike

Homicides among black males spike

By Maria Cramer
Globe Staff / December 29, 2008

A study analyzing homicides across the country shows that Boston is among six major cities that have seen the sharpest spikes in the number of young black males killing one another between 2000 and 2007, an alarming trend that comes at a time when the state is cutting back on programs geared toward helping troubled youths.

The number of black males between 14 and 24 years old who killed in the city went up 78 percent to 64 between two two-year periods, 2000 to 2001 and 2006 to 2007, according to a Northeastern University study to be released today.

Out of 28 cities analyzed, five - Houston, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and San Francisco - had sharper increases than Boston.

The Rev. William E. Dickerson II, pastor of Greater Love Tabernacle Church in Dorchester, said he hopes the study will help those living outside minority neighborhoods realize the trend among young black males is everyone's problem. Earlier this month, he presided over the funeral of a 17-year-old youth. Later, he realized that 16 years ago, he had led the funeral of the victim's father, who was gunned down when he was just a teenager.

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