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All homicide victims are black in Arkansas capital

All homicide victims are black in Arkansas capital
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The mayor of Little Rock is calling for a task force to study black-on-black crime in Arkansas' capital city, where all of this year's 11 murders involved victims and lead suspects who were black. But the city's police chief says there are many factors that influence a growing murder rate - including the economy.

Mayor Mark Stodola said last week the task force will analyze current city programs helping to eliminate crime.

Police Chief Stuart Thomas agrees that black-on-black crime is a problem, but says economic conditions can increase crime regardless of any racial conditions.

About 42.3 percent of Little Rock's population is black, according to the 2010 U.S. census.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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