Murders fall 42 percent in America's deadliest city: Chicago

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Three months after Chicago notched the most murders in the nation, officials are touting a dramatic downturn in crime.

In the first quarter of the year, murders dropped 42 percent over the same period last year and shootings were down 27 percent -- reductions that authorities say were fueled by anti-gang initiatives.

"These numbers are progress but they are by no means victory," Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in a statement.

The encouraging figures come after a series of crimes that made Chicago a symbol of urban gun violence.

The nation's third-largest city ended 2012 with the most slayings: 506. Then came the shooting death of innocent teenager Hadiya Pendleton, who had just performed with her school marching band during President Obama's inauguration weekend activities.

She was killed during the deadliest January that Chicago had seen in a decade.

But March, in particular, brought good news for the city and its beleaguered police force: murders down 69 percent, with 36 fewer people slain than in March 2012.

There were still horrific headlines out of Chicago last month, though, such as 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins being gunned down in what police said was a gang-related shooting aimed at her father.

And on the day that Mayor Rahm Emanuel and McCarthy announced the new crime stats, they also had to answer questions about a wild weekend melee by teenagers along the city's Magnificent Mile.

McCarthy told NBCChicago.com that the advent of warmer weather was partly to blame for the disturbance because it brings young people outside.

Since Pendleton's murder, the Police Department has put more officers on the street and City Hall is beefing up after-school and summer job programs to stop youths from falling in with gangs.

McCarthy said the first-quarter numbers are "encouraging" but cautioned that there are no shortcuts to cracking down on crime.

"It's not like a Jenga game where if you pull out that one stick everything falls down," he said.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/01/17554426-murders-fall-42-percent-in-americas-deadliest-city-chicago?lite

Thought I'd post some somewhat positive news out of Chicago, since some people seem to love only posting the negative.

After school and Summer job programs for youths are a great idea, and I'm hoping they see positive results.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Evylin

[Danno 1,228]

Thought I'd post some somewhat positive news out of Chicago, since some people seem to love only posting the negative.

Lets hope the trend continues.

Peace is that brief period of time when everyone is reloading

-Thomas Jefferson

[spookyturtle 9,466]

It would be nice to see it continue to decline. It will take a lot of work to get it drop and stay down, but it has to start somewhere.

[lostinblue 1,989]

30 degree colder temperatures than last year has something to do with it. This is true in every northern city in america. The colder it is less crime is commited. Wait until fall to see how the summer crime wave fell.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It would be nice to see it continue to decline. It will take a lot of work to get it drop and stay down, but it has to start somewhere.

Agreed. I'm hoping these programs continue to show youth that there are other options available to them than a life of crime on the streets.

[decocker 7,198]

yeah. the anti gang initiatives have nothing to do with it.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

yeah. the anti gang initiatives have nothing to do with it.

Nope. Just the weather!

[decocker 7,198]

Nope. Just the weather!

makes perfect sense. all the murderous animals are in hibernation.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

yeah. the anti gang initiatives have nothing to do with it.

Nope. Just the weather!

If the murder rate goes back up in the next few months, then we can claim that the decline was due to cold weather. I would imagine that most gangbangers don't clean their guns properly and the cold weather caused more jambs, hence the decline.

[Karee 4,190]

Looks like those gun laws are finally working. Let's see what happens in April and May.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Looks like those gun laws are finally working. Let's see what happens in April and May.

Nobody said a word about gun laws. This article is more about the programs that Chicago has in place to offer opportunities to youth. Not sure why that's a bad thing, it seems to be having positive results so far.

But hey, might as well close 'em down because it's still cold outside and the real murderers will come out when the weather warms up, so what's the point?

Anti-gang initiatives are a good thing and should be encouraged.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Evylin

[Karee 4,190]

Nobody said a word about gun laws. This article is more about the programs that Chicago has in place to offer opportunities to youth. Not sure why that's a bad thing, it seems to be having positive results so far.

But hey, might as well close 'em down because it's still cold outside and the real murderers will come out when the weather warms up, so what's the point?

Anti-gang initiatives are a good thing and should be encouraged.

Someone did say something about gun laws. Me.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Someone did say something about gun laws. Me.

If you'd like to rant about gun laws, you're free to start your own thread. This article has nothing to do with them.

If you'd like to talk about programs that are encouraging youth to do something with their free time rather than run around on the streets causing problems, then please do!

[^_^ 5,021]

yeah. the anti gang initiatives have nothing to do with it.

he's right about the summers though. they are brutal. even where i live, violent crime is nonexistent but the 'yoots' do run wild in the summer with their loud music and disruptive behavior. but they're suburban yoot, they don't kill, they just generally behave like douches.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

[quote name=' timestamp='1364911067' post='6112050]

he's right about the summers though. they are brutal. even where i live, violent crime is nonexistent but the 'yoots' do run wild in the summer with their loud music and disruptive behavior. but they're suburban yoot, they don't kill, they just generally behave like douches.

Of course crime is higher in the warmer months - this article even mentions the weather having an impact.

The numbers, of course, will go up. But if these programs are working, then hopefully the number remains lower than it was last year. Giving kids something to do that will actually give them some life skills to work with is excellent.