Police respond to 5 murders in 5 days

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Just 24 days into the New Year and Homicide Detectives in Indianapolis have been busy. The city has already registered its 12th murder of the month. 

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Rick Hite gave a candid interview on what may be pushing this disturbing number.

“Weather. It is cabin fever. This period of time in January for the last three or four years has been a little challenging for us,” said Hite.

24-Hour News 8 pulled the year to date numbers and found out in 2012 there were nine murders, eight in 2011, and nine in 2010.

In all three years the end of year numbers did not surpass the 100 mark.

“Based on what we have seen in the past we have steadily decreased our homicides,” said Hite.

Investigators call two of the 12 murders this year justifiable. The other ten are made up of mostly ongoing disputes, drug cases, or those bent on seeking revenge.

“It appears this is not stranger on stranger. There is a relationship,” said Hite.

Later this year Hite indicated he wants to hold a series of Town Hall Meetings to discuss violence in the city.

Hite also is encouraging residents to participate in Public Safety Department’s efficiency teams. Those teams will take input from residents on how to make public safety better in the city.

The 12 reported murders in January occurred in the following areas:

• The 3300 block of West 9th Street
• The 2900 block of South Draper Street
• Two on the 4000 block of Hampshire Court
• The 4100 block of Edgemere Court
• The 3500 block of Roseway Drive
• The 800 block of North Keystone Avenue
• Two on the 1100 block of West Congress Avenue
• The 4500 block of Golden Meadow Court
• The 9500 block of East 39th Place
• The 4300 block of East 18th Street