There were five fewer homicides in 2011 in Dorchester and Mattapan than the year before, at least through Dec. 28 when the Reporter went to press. But the death toll was still steep: 34 persons were killed violently on our streets or in their homes over the last 12 months, according to the Boston Police.

Nicholas Bufford, 21 shot on Jan. 4 at 614 Blue Hill Ave.

Lancelot Reid, 23, stabbed on Feb. 25 at 80 Ames Way.

Jorge Louis Tavares, 18, stabbed on March 25 at 19 Groom St.

Khris McKinney, 17 shot on March 24 at the intersection of Norfolk and Whitman streets.

James Michael Read, 24, shot on March 26 at 37 Ellington St.

Edmund Andrade, 23, shot on April 20 at 22 Trull St.

Derek Matulina, 19, shot on May 7 at the Savin Hill T station.

Raheem Browder, 20, shot on May 29 at 29 Selden St.

 Marc Edmond, 22, shot on May 29 at the intersection of Itasca and Messinger streets.

Terrance Johnson, 28, shot on May 31 at the intersection of Humphreys Street and Humphreys Place.

Mark Thomas-Little, 20, shot on May 31 at 113 Evans St.

Fara Diagne, 25, shot on June 17 at 663 Warren St.

Charles James Walker, 47, shot on June 20 at 826 Blue Hill Ave.

Aaron Wornum, 25, shot on May 26 at 4 Sumner St.

 Nicholas Trotman, 38, shot on June 29 at 45 Olney St.

Victor Gomes, 31, shot on July 4 at 34 Norton St.

Joseph Winston, 26 shot on July 5 at 245 Columbia Rd.

Lashon Washington, 39, shot on July 5 at 245 Columbia Rd.

Dominic Guerrier, 31, shot on July 7 at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Mascot Street.

Alessa Castellon, 21, shot on July 24 at 50 Granger St.

Wilson Alexander, 20, shot on July 31 at 40 Ames St.

Francis Kargbo, 22, stabbed on Aug. 23 at 92 Sumner St.

Omar Edwards, 32, shot on Aug. 26 at 18 Hosmer St.

Derrick Barnes, 25, shot on Aug. 27 at 11 Fayston St.

Shawn Flores, 29, shot on Sept. 22 at 15 Abbott St.

Javion Blake, 16, shot on Sept. 25 at 253 Geneva St.

Daniel Bunch, 22, shot on Oct. 8 at 1556 Blue Hill Ave.

Ciaran Conneely, 36, shot on Oct. 10 at 20 Nahant Ave.

Judith Emile, 24, shot on Nov. 14 at 50 Harlem St.

Stephanie Emile, 21, shot on Nov. 14 at 50 Harlem St.

Rosanna Camilo, 34, killed on Nov. 21 at 50 Fairlawn Ave.

Victor Brookens, 54, Shot on Dec. 6 at 7 Samoset St.

Christopher Owens, 22, shot on Dec. 9 at 47 Winston Rd.