Gary homicide rate 2nd in the country

GARY, Ind. (AP) -- - The number of homicides in Gary fell significantly, but remained high enough to rank it second only to New Orleans as the U.S. city with the most homicides per capita.

A report released Friday shows that Gary recorded 51 homicides during 2008. That's down 28 percent from the 71 recorded during 2007, but it's still happening at an alarmingly high rate.

The Post-Tribune of Merrillville reports the rate of just over 50 homicides per 100,000 residents ranked only below New Orleans' 54.7 last year. Its unofficial tallies cites available public records through Dec. 30.

Detectives say many of those homicides remain unsolved because witnesses have not come forward with information needed to make arrests.