Last week, the District had 130 homicides for the year. That’s way down from the 172 at the same time last year.

What’s perhaps most impressive with this roughly 20 percent decline is that the drop is nearly citywide, according to the latest police stats. Murders are declining even in the most notorious neighborhoods.

The drop includes neighborhoods east of the river.

In 2008, there were 45 homicides in 7D. This year: 36.

In 2008, there were 40 homicides in 6D. This year: 32.

The only district to experience no real drop in homicides is 3D—-where most of the media live and work. There were 17 homicides in that district in 2008. This year: 16.

*photo by Darrow Montgomery.