NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News is breaking a record this year when it comes to homicides — likely the most in that city in five decades.
So far, 41 people have been killed in Newport News this year. That's 10 more than in the past two years.
"Nobody wants to see a year like we’ve seen this year, and we’re doing our dead-level best to reduce that and have a better year as we come into the new year," Police Chief Steve Drew told 13News Now.
Drew said when looking at the homicide rate in the city, it’s important to view each one as more than a number.
"Those are also individuals. They leave loved ones behind and family members behind," he said. "I sit in this room with families and 'Chief, can you just give me some resolve? Can you tell me why this happened?'"
With 41 murders so far this year, that puts Newport News at the top of the list in the seven cities. Drew said that's likely the highest since the 1970s.
"They’re not random acts. It’s not someone going outside and seeing someone and pulling a trigger," Drew said, sharing that most people involved have had some relationship.
"I see individuals that have problems with de-escalation, Drew said. "I see arguments that happen. I see individuals that at one time were friends that turned on each other. There are some, not blaming individuals who have mental illness, but I have seen mental illness be a cause of some of the homicides we've had this year."
Drew said police saw a big spike in August with 10 people killed that month.
But since then, numbers have steadily trended down. The graph below shows five in September, four in October and two in November. They didn't have any back in May.
"We're already talking now about strategies that we will put in. If we saw a spike in violence over the summer, what are some things that the police department and other jurisdictions, schools, our communities can do to address next summer to get ahead of the game," Drew said. "That doesn't mean start in June or July, that means I need to be looking at April and May before we even get to the summer."
Drew said if you look at other data besides the homicide rate, he believes their tactics are driving the city in the right direction.
He said shootings are down by about 20 compared to last year and they've recovered almost 1,100 guns off the streets — about 200 more than 2022.
He credits working with other agencies, moving units around and embracing technology with some of those advancements.
"We have a partnership with the State Police. We have a couple of state troopers that are assigned. We increased our narcotics and gang division and our precincts, out precincts will focus geographically," he said.
Drew said the department has solved about 43% of their homicides. That’s compared to the last four years where it has hovered in the mid-60% range.
Though, Drew said investigators are getting stuck because key witnesses are understandably hesitant to come forward.
He said he hopes and anticipates having a very different conversation this time next year, with much lower numbers.
"It’s a holistic approach, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say to you that the number of homicides in the city, they bother me," he said.