Crime Down But Murders Increase

By Lindsey Miller in News on May 10, 2010 9:20PM

Just a few weeks after two state representatives suggested that the National Guard be brought in to help Chicago Police control the violence, Chicago Police are actually touting a drop in some violent crime. Police superintendent Jody Weis announced crime is down almost seven percent, most violent crime is down 11 percent and the number of homicides this year is below the five-year average for the same period. Weis attributes the decrease to "smart policing; sharing more information among federal, state and local police; and building partnerships within communities."

However, despite decreases in criminal sexual assault, robbery, arson, and aggravated battery compared to last year, homicides in Chicago actually increased. Between January 1 and April 30, homicides increased eight percent compared to the same date range last year. This year there were 120 by the end of April; last there, there were only 111. As of May 8, the number of homicides on record for the year is 127, which is three more than last year. Police attribute the increase to a spike of violence in April, which included five people killed in a Marquette Park house shooting.

In an effort to further decrease the violence, police organized a gun buy-back for Saturday where people could exchange a gun for money, no questions asked. As a result, 4,050 weapons were handed in, though whether or not these buy-backs are effective is another question entirely.