(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
Through the first month of 2024, both shootings and homicides across Chicago have fallen by at least 25%.
According to the Chicago Police Department, there were 31 homicides recorded through the first month of 2024. That’s the lowest total for any January since 2019 (23 homicides) and the third-fewest for any such month since 2015.
The homicide total is down 26% compared to the same month last year, while the number of shootings (124 recorded in January 2024) and shooting victims (136), are down 25% and 27% respectively over that same time.
“We are trending in the right direction,” Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said when discussing the city’s crime trends during an appearance Wednesday before the Economic Club of Chicago. “But we also understand that there are people who are still being affected, and we’re going to continue to work for those people.”
Homicides recorded in the month of January included the fatal shooting of two Innovations High School students in the Loop last week, and the killing of a Senn High School student in Edgewater this week.
According to the CPD, the number of robberies — which spiked throughout 2023 — is down 28% thus far when compared to the same time last year.
Overall transit crime is 2% lower compared to this time last year, while violent crime on the CTA dropped 3% year to date.
Since the start of the year, the city has recorded 72 vehicular hijackings, down 52% compared to 2023, according to the CPD. Officers have made 146 motor vehicle-related arrests already this year, and of the 35 arrests for vehicular hijacking, 49% have been juvenile offenders.
“We are continuing to build on the progress we made in 2023, which included reductions in shootings and homicides,” Snelling said in a statement. “Our focus this year remains on giving the people of Chicago a stronger sense of safety and supporting those who have been affected by crime.”
A Safer City is supported, in part, by the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Initiative for Reducing Violence in Chicago.
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
