Many Phoenix killings are linked to gangs, drugs

PHOENIX Police say 50 percent of Phoenix's homicide victims in 2004 maintained a lifestyle that brought violence to their doorstep, such as being involved in gangs, immigrant smuggling, prostitution or drugs.

According to an Arizona Republic analysis of police data, the rate of homicides in low-income communities in 2004 was four times higher than it was in more-affluent areas.

The numbers, which include all unnatural deaths except fatal officer-involved shootings, also indicate that a third of the city's homicides were tied to narcotics.

Gang involvement claimed nearly ten percent of last year's murder victims.

Police and national experts believe many murder victims could have avoided their fate by simply cleaning up their lives.