SAN ANTONIO - The number of murders in San Antonio has spiked. Compared to this time last year the number of murders has more than doubled.
But is the city's top cop concerned about the deadly crimes, and are we less safe?
According to Police Chief William McManus, there is no reason or pattern for the spike.
"It's concerning because any loss of life is concerning," said McManus. It was this time last year, March 1st, 2011, when the city of San Antonio had nine murders. They are crimes, McManus said, that mean more than just numbers.
"There are family members involved. There are friends involved," said the chief. "It's a painful thing."
Fast forward to March 1st, 2012. The city now has 23 murders.
Just last week, there were two homicides.
A man was shot multiple times on Highway 90 West. Then there were two more people shot dead in the 300 block of Catalina.
"There is a spike and it's early in the year," said McManus. "That doesn't mean that the trend will continue through the year."
Chief McManus said the spike should be taken with a grain of salt. Two years ago when the city had a record low, the number of murders was up at the beginning of the year.
"It's not being committed by an organized group or groups of people," said the chief. "Most of them are spontaneous: an argument or someone targets someone."
And it is those crimes that are difficult to predict or prevent. overall, he said.
"People who are dealing with gangs, drugs, prostitutes - their potential for becoming a victim is much greater than those who are not," said the chief.
Most of the murders this year have occurred between people that know each other. McManus says San Antonio is still a safe city.
