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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Boston's murder rate hit a historic low in 2023
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Good morning to those lucky folks who, like myself, woke up to a nice blanket of snow outside.
In most parts of the state, we’re expecting to see 2-4 inches of snow before the end of the day — and, unlike last time, it’ll stick around the next few days thanks to freezing temperatures, according to WBUR meteorologist Danielle Noyes. There’s also some sleet expected by midday, so be careful during your commutes.
When it comes to how the T is running as of 7:40 a.m., commuters on the Fitchburg and Newburyport / Rockport lines are seeing delays of up to 15 minutes. The Silver Line from Nubian Station to South Station is also experiencing delays up to 20 minutes.
Now, to the news:
Boston’s murder rate hit a historic low in 2023. The Suffolk District Attorney’s office reported 37 homicides, with arrests made in 24 of the cases so far. That’s down from 40 murders in 2022. The DA’s office also reported there has been a 20% reduction in shootings in the city year over year, going from 180 in 2022 to 144 last year.
- What’s driving the change? Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden credited law enforcement and Mayor Michelle Wu’s office in helping the city see a meaningful downturn in this violent crime. “No one is taking any victory laps here, especially when serious crime still disproportionately affects our communities of color, but it’s important to point out promising trends,” Hayden said. “When our communities reach an ‘enough is enough’ consensus, positive change is possible and I think that’s an important part of what we’re seeing here.”
- How does this rate compare to other cities? While the DA’s office stressed there’s “always work to be done,” Boston (654,776 pop.) still fared pretty well when compared to cities with similar population sizes. In 2023, Washington D.C. (678,972 pop.) had 274 homicides, Baltimore (569,931 pop.) had 259 and San Francisco (808,437) had 53.
Massachusetts’ early literacy rates rank “moderately well” compared to other states across the country, according to a new report from the National Council on Teacher Training. The state’s educational services for students learning English got an extra shoutout of praise. The same report deemed Maine’s early literacy policies “unacceptable,” WBUR’s newsroom reports.
- Go deeper: Despite this passing grade on our state’s report, a state-commissioned study of K-3 students in December of last year found that more than half showed early signs of reading difficulties. The Boston Globe found that this can continue into high school years, with many teenagers even struggling while texting.
The 45th annual Women’s Beanpot hockey tournament starts tonight at Allston’s Bright-Landry Hockey Center. The tournament, played between four of Greater Boston’s colleges, will determine which women’s college hockey teams will go on to play in a championship game on Jan. 23. In a historic first, both the men’s and women’s championships will be played at TD Garden.
- The men’s tournament kicks off a little later on Feb. 5 at the TD Garden.
Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a man known to personify New England gloom, may soon be leaving the region for brighter (and sunnier) pastures. The Atlanta Falcons announced last night they interviewed Belichick for their head coach opening, WBUR’s newsroom reports. It’s the first publicly known interview Belichick has had since leaving the Pats.
Brookline lost one of its most well-known residents this weekend. Chobee Hoy, 91, died on Jan. 13 from cancer, according to an obituary on Brookline News. The prominent real estate broker and civic leader served on a wide range of local nonprofits, including the Brookline Teen Center, Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health.
P.S.— A reminder that another round of Green Line shutdowns starts today through Jan. 28 from North Station to Kenmore. Here are some tips for how to get around it.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of murders in 2022 and 2020. We regret the error.
