illi News - ICYMI: Chicago Had Safest Summer Since The '60s

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CHICAGO ~ Chicago has seen a significant decrease in violent crime this summer, with the fewest homicides recorded in June, July, and August since 1965. According to data from the Chicago Police Department (CPD), there were only 123 homicides during this time period, compared to previous peaks of 244 in 1974, 228 in 1995, and 242 in 2016.

This historic progress was announced by Mayor Brandon Johnson at a press conference on Tuesday. "While the numbers from this summer are encouraging, we are redoubling our efforts to continue to drive down violent crime," said Mayor Johnson. "Our goal is zero homicides, and we're going to get there through constitutional policing and by continuing to invest in Chicagoans."

Under the leadership of Mayor Johnson's Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, CPD has been working tirelessly to strengthen investigations within the Bureau of Detectives. This has led to a homicide clearance rate of 74%, the highest it has been in over a decade.

"The heroic men and women of the Chicago Police Department have worked to reduce violence and make every community safer throughout our city," said Superintendent Snelling. "While this reduction in crime is progress, we know there is more work to be done. As we work to restore a sense of safety for every Chicagoan, we will also continue to support the victims and families who have been traumatized by violence."

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The summer of 2025 saw across-the-board decreases in violent crime compared to the same period in 2024. Overall violent crime was down by 23%, while homicides decreased by an impressive 46.7%. Shootings also saw a significant decrease of 42.6%, followed by robberies at -33.7% and vehicular hijackings at -45.6%.

This success can be attributed to various initiatives implemented by CPD and the Mayor's Office for Community Safety as part of the People's Plan for Community Safety. These initiatives aim to address the root causes of crime and disrupt cycles of violence by involving community-led programs and support for those most affected by violence.

"Our partnerships with CPD, Community Violence Intervention, community-based organizations, and City departments have played a pivotal role in driving down crime and violence," said Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood.

The decrease in violent crime can also be linked to increased community investment in jobs, infrastructure, and programming since the depths of the pandemic. Criminologists believe that these investments have had a positive impact on reducing crime rates.

While this summer's numbers are encouraging, Mayor Johnson and CPD are not letting their guard down. They are committed to continuing their efforts to drive down violent crime and make Chicago a safer place for all its residents.

Filed Under: Government, City

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