Gory Prince George's: "Homicide rates down for year except in PG "

AP: As 2004 draws to a close, homicide rates are down in the D.C. area.
The District was pacing nearly 19 percent below last year's levels. . . .

Most of the region's other major jurisdictions also saw significant declines in homicide rates during 2004.

Montgomery County had a total of 17 homicides as of yesterday, compared with 23 for all of last year. . . .

In Fairfax County, there have been eight, one less than all of last year. . . .
Only one homicide has been reported this year in Arlington County, compared with three for all of last year. Alexandria has seen two homicides this year, compared to four last year.

But in Prince George's County, homicides were pacing well above last year's levels. As of yesterday, there were 148, compared with 128 through Dec. 28, 2003. . . .