CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – The Chicago Police Department unveiled its end-of-year crime statistics on New Year’s Day, revealing a decrease in shootings and murders over the past year, despite an increase in other types of crimes across the city.
Just 45 minutes into 2024, Chicago experienced its first homicide of the year when three people were shot inside a home in the 7000 block of South Wabash. The 53-year-old victim died at the scene, marking a tragic start to the new year.
According to the initial data released by the Chicago Police Department, certain types of violent crimes saw a decrease in the past year. The number of shooting incidents decreased by nearly 18% in 2023, with the number of gunshot victims down as well. Additionally, the city saw a more than 12% decrease in the total number of murders in comparison to the previous year.
The University of Chicago Crime Lab’s annual crime report, released last week, highlighted the stark disparity in crime victimization between Black and white Chicagoans. The report found that Black Chicagoans are 20 times more likely to become victims of crime than their white counterparts, shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in the city.
Despite the overall drop in shootings and murders, certain other crimes saw increases throughout the year. Robberies were up by 23%, but the police made more than 20% more robbery arrests. In addition, vehicle-related arrests, including for car thefts, rose by almost 19% in 2023. However, carjackings saw a decrease of 20%.
The Chicago Police Department emphasized that the statistics provided were preliminary, with final numbers expected to be released on Tuesday.
In conclusion, Chicago saw a decrease in shootings and murders in 2023, according to the Chicago Police Department’s end-of-year crime statistics. However, the data also revealed increases in other crimes, pointing to the complex nature of crime trends in the city.