OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty said drugs and gangs are the reason for a spike in homicides in the city during 2012.

A total of 99 people were killed during the year - the third-highest number in history. There were 102 homicides in 1979 and 236 in 1995, when more than 160 people were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing.

There were 60 slayings in Oklahoma City in both 2010 and 2011, and Citty told The Oklahoman that he hopes 2012 is an aberration.

Citty said gang violence is the highest he’s seen in the city, with the number of drive-by shootings rising. Police said there is constant friction among Oklahoma City’s estimated 120 gangs.

Front Section, Pages 3 on 01/14/2013