ABC7Chicago is reporting that crime numbers from Chicago police suggest May 2016 was the most violent in years, but police say they are happy about a steady downtrend in violence.
For the month of May in Chicago, 66 murders were reported, and 318 shootings were reported involving 397 shooting victims.
On May 27, 2106, the New York Times published an article reporting Chicago’s South and West sides are on par of homicide rates with the world’s most dangerous countries, such as Brazil and Venezuela.
The article points out that homicide rates in Chicago have held steady since 2004, while New York and Los Angeles homicide rates have declined. The New York Times article further states that Chicago has a reputation for strict gun laws, and gun rights advocates often point to it as proof that gun regulation doesn’t reduce violence. A New York Times analysis showed guns were easily available from nearby jurisdictions, especially Indiana.
The Times article also noted that gang wars drive much of the violence and that crime persists in the most segregated neighborhoods.
Chicago’s high crime rate could be consistent with a national trend with many cities reporting significant spikes in murders reported.
By mid-May, the Major Cities Chiefs Association compared crime to last year’s crime:
• Las Vegas up 81 percent
• Dallas up 73 percent
• Chicago up 69.9 percent
• Newark up 60 percent
• Arlington, Texas up 100 percent
• Washington, D.C. up 6 percent
See also …
The New York Times Chicago’s Murder Problem
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