A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)
Through the first three quarters of 2023, homicides and shootings in Chicago are down more than 10% compared to the same time last year, and are each at their lowest totals since at least 2019.
New crime statistics released by the Chicago Police Department Wednesday show there were 45 homicides recorded throughout the month of September — the fewest for that month since 2014 — which brings the total this year up to 466.
That number is down nearly 12% compared to the same time period last year. There have also been 1,911 shootings recorded in Chicago thus far this year, which is a nearly 13% drop year to date over 2022.
According to the CPD data, 14 of the city’s 22 police districts have seen declines in the number of homicides in 2023, and there has been a 17% decline in the number of shooting victims recorded year to date (2,255).
Officers have recovered 9,353 illegal firearms so far in 2023, a total that includes 967 assault weapons.
Chicago has seen increases this year in robberies (up 25% year to date), aggravated batteries (up 4%) and criminal sexual assaults (up 4%) this year, CPD data shows.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday said he and new Police Superintendent Larry Snelling are determined to “utilize all resources” at its disposal to identify and apprehend those who are “terrorizing the people of Chicago.”
“Know that this is an issue that I take extremely seriously,” he said following Wednesday’s City Council meeting, “as these incidents are extremely traumatic and can have a lasting impact on a person’s life and even much worse.”
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
