This is good news?

Those who lived were less likely to be robbed

The city's overall crime rate fell more than 5 percent last year compared with 2005, despite a well-publicized spike in homicides, statistics released today show.

Houston police reported declines from 3 percent to 8 percent in the rates per 100,000 population of serious crimes including rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and auto theft.

Overall, factoring in increased population including hurricane evacuees, the crime rate per 100,000 residents was down 5.7 percent.

The homicide rate, however, increased about 5 percent.

So, although you were about 10% more likely to be killed, if you survived, you were less likely to be robbed.

That probably doesn't make the relatives of those who were killed any happier, I'm thinking. How about we go for a decrease in murder, too, Mayor Opie?