There has been a drop in violent crimes in Chicago, especially in the 15 most dangerous neighborhoods, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. This time last year, homicides were 7% higher. By the end of March, 128 people were killed. Five-hundred-ninety-three people were shot. This is down by 15%.
Neighborhoods on the South and West Side have seen violent crime drop by 24%. In three neighborhoods, there was a 50% drop in shootings. However, those 15 neighborhoods still accounted for 64% of the shootings, and 60% of those people were shot. Those 15 neighborhoods are 8 times more violent than the rest of the city.
Non-Violent Crimes Increased
There were 499 carjackings, which is up 3% from last year. According to the Chicago Police Department’s end-of-month statistics, there were 72 people arrested and 57% of them were juveniles.
Robberies are up 11%, burglaries are up 36%, motor vehicle thefts are up 43%, and thefts are up 70%.
Some of these crimes are down from 2019. Burglaries have dropped 22% compared to 2019. All other crimes are up, according to the police report. Experts believe the increase in burglaries, theft, and robberies is due to more people leaving their homes and returning to work.
Violent Neighborhoods
The Englewood Police Department said the neighborhood has been the most violent in 2022 with 62 homicides by shooting. That is a rate of 10.6 victims per 10,000 residents. The neighborhood is “five times more violent than the city’s average of 2.1,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Loop and River North police departments report a rise in homicide and shooting victims. There have been 20 so far this year. There were only three last year. Their victim rates per 10,000 residents are 1.5 and 0.5. This is still below the city average.
In a press release, the CPD stated it solved 88 murder cases in 2022. That is a clearance rate of 69%, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. In 2021, the CPD bragged they had a high clearance rate, however, half of those cases did not result in an arrest.
So far this year, CPD has removed 2,541 guns from the streets.
CPD Response
According to a press release the CPD put out yesterday, they are continuing to double down on their efforts to recruit more officers. This involved expanding the requirements to become an officer. The department wants to have a more diverse police force to reflect the City of Chicago.
the Department is waiving the 60-semester-hour requirement if a candidate meets one of eight criteria that include 30 semester hours, military experience, work and life experience, or a combination where applicable.
Superintendent David O. Brown says CPD is making it easier for candidates, who are passionate about improving Chicago, to access the application. Brown said that “considering qualified applicants with a wide range of professional and interpersonal skills is integral to building a better police department.”
CPD is holding in-person exams. Four hundred people took the test already. The next testing dates are May 19-21.
Written by Jeanette Vietti
Source
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago sees a drop in homicides and shootings, but carjackings and other crimes are up from year ago; by Andy Boyle
Spot on Illinois: Chicago Sees Drop in Homicides and Shootings, But Carjacking and Other Crimes Up
Press Release: CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT: MARCH 2022 IN REVIEW
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Inline Image Courtesy of yooperann’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
