NCJ Number
142504
Journal
Focus: Criminal Justice Policy Issue: 91-1 Dated: (1991) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Overall trends and characteristics of homicide in Omaha, Neb. are examined from 1975 to 1989, with emphasis on the race, age, gender, and area of residence of the homicide victims and the circumstances under which these crimes were committed.
Abstract
During the period studied, 389 people died in homicides in Omaha. Fifty-five percent were black; the other 45 percent were white. No significant increase has occurred in the number of homicides in Omaha in the last 15 years. Black males represented 43 percent of the homicide victims and 79 percent of the black homicide victims. However, the rate for black females was higher than the rate for white males. For both races, homicides were highest among young adults aged 15-39, accounting for 66 percent of the homicides. Two- thirds of the homicides were committed with firearms. Knives and piercing instruments were the second most common type of weapons used. Eighty-two percent of the homicides were committed by acquaintances or family members. A greater proportion of female than male victims were killed by family members. The perpetrators and victims were usually of the same race. The common features shared by many homicide victims offer hope for developing workable prevention strategies. Tables, figure, maps, and notes