HOUSTON -- The Houston Police Department released new statistics Wednesday that showed a higher murder rate and linked 20 percent of the homicides to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt said the city's homicide rate is up 50 percent in 2006 compared to the same time period last year. As of Jan. 17, 2006, Houston police had reported to 21 homicides. In 2005, the department reported 14 homicides as of Jan. 18.

Between September and December of 2005, Hurricane Katrina evacuees were either suspects or victims in 23 killings

Hurtt said the department has a better system in place now to track all crimes involving hurricane evacuees.

"One of the things we hope we do is use them to convince (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) for any reimbursement and also make contributions to the city so that we can provide policing for that population and the rest of Houston, going forward," Hurtt said.

The city of Houston has already asked FEMA for $6 million for extra policing.

To help keep the homicide rate from rising, the police department started the Neighborhood Enforcement Team Taskforce -- a group of officers dedicated to patrolling certain apartment complexes in southwest Houston.

"We have been able to respond to some of the hot spot areas and have been very effective in arresting some of the offenders," Hurtt said.

Since the taskforce's inception, officers have made 169 arrests and have handed out more than 900 traffic citations.

The department is also aggressively recruiting law enforcement officers from other local and state agencies and across the country to join the department. Officers with two years experience are being enticed to join Houston's police force with a $7,000 bonus.