March Murders Drop 69 Percent; Shootings, 27

Officials Monday called the city's murder toll decrease "progress", but not victory.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced that through the city's coordinated strategy, murders and shootings dropped in the first quarter of 2013. The numbers continue a trend of a decrease in murders from the fourth quarter of 2012. The rate at which murders are solved is up significantly compared to the first quarter of 2012, a news release also said.

READ: Monthly Murders Sink: Lowest Since 1957

“The downward trend in murders and shootings represents positive progress through our comprehensive strategy, yet there is more work to be done,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, according to a news release. “Policing is vital, but it is only one part of a larger strategy that includes stronger prevention in our communities, more stable parenting in our homes, spirited preaching in our houses of worship and stiffer penalties for serious offenses in our courts.”

Chicago’s murder rate fell 69 percent in March, with 36 fewer murders in the city than in March 2012. This continues the six month trend of a declining murder rate. For the first quarter of 2013 overall there were 50 fewer murders than the first quarter of last year—a drop of 42 percent.

Going back six months to the beginning of the fourth quarter 2012, the murder rate has dropped 28 percent. Shooting incidents have significantly decreased in 2013; down 27 percent from the first quarter of 2012.

The rate at which murders are solved is on the rise with the clearance rate in the first quarter up significantly to 74 percent, compared to 23 percent at the end of the first quarter 2012.

Locally, the murder rate is rather low.

A recent study  within a 12-year period in Chicago ranked the Lake View communities lower, in terms of murder rates, as compared with communities like Uptown. The two areas have seen a total of 73 homicides since 2001, the most recent of which was reported in April 2012, according to City of Chicago data. 

Among the city's deadliest places was Austin, where 450 homicides are listed, according to the map. Nearby Lincoln Park joined neighborhoods like Hyde Park, home to the University of Chicago, which the report indicates had less than one homicide per year.

READ: Lake View Ranks Low for Homicides in 12-Year Study

Emanuel’s comprehensive strategy to prevent crime involves the entire community—including organizations, ministers, principals and citizens, he said.

In addition to strategic policing, such as Operation Impact and the Gang Violence Reduction Initiative, the city is investing in stronger prevention by making sure kids have productive activities outside of the classroom.

Chicago is increasing the investment in after-school programs by 30 percent, doubling summer jobs for students, tripling the investment in the Becoming a Man Program and supporting Windy City Hoops, the release said.

"This progress is a result of the hard work of the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to protect our streets, our partners in the community, ministers, teachers, principals, parents and residents,” McCarthy said. "These numbers are progress, but they are by no means victory. We will continue to build on our larger crime reduction strategy to bring safety to every neighborhood.”

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