Brockton Crime fears don't match reality

[Ian David]

By Maureen Boyle, Enterprise staff writer

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Statistics and statistical analysis of police calls and arrests show gun violence has remained consistent in the city — and so has the ages of those involved.

There were 92 firearms-related incidents in the city from January to April of 2006. During that same period this year, there were 85 incidents, said Pam Kelley of Kelley Associates, who analyzes data for Brockton police.

Thirty percent of the incidents in that span this year occurred between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and 28 percent between 8 p.m. and midnight. Last year, 32 percent occurred between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and 28 percent between 8 p.m. and midnight. Of the 50 people arrested for firearm offenses so far this year, 15 — or 30 percent — are 17 or younger. “The age in this group is on the high end — the 16- and 17-year-olds,” Kelley said. Seventeen people — or 34 percent — are between the ages of 18 and 24.

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“Kids have a small community. they are very affected by it. It either turns to anger or revenge, or they begin to feel the world is an unsafe place,” Goodwin said.

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http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/07/29/news/news/news06.txt