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CPD working a murder crime scene in Englewood. Author; Supaflyrobby.

10 Things To Know About Chicago Crime & Murder Rates

Chicago which is the third most populous city in the US after New York City and Los Angeles is a place where crime rates have been high. Since the beginning of the 20^th century, the Chicago Police Department Bureau has been tracking the crime rate of the city. The crime rate in Chicago has been rated to be higher than the average crime rate in the United States.

In 2016, violent crimes in Chicago contributed more to the crime rate recorded in the United States of America. What has attributed to the rise of crime in Chicago is the strong gang culture. The gangs have been involved in several violent crimes across Chicago.

In 2021, the crime rate in Chicago per 100,000 population was in high. Violent crimes were rated as follows per 100,000 population; homicide (29.5), rape (76.7), robbery (294.2), aggravated assault (239.1), and total violent crime (639.7). Property crimes were as followers; burglary (248.6), larceny-theft (481.5), and motor vehicle theft (394.9).

Here are the 10 Things To Know About Chicago Crime & Murder Rates:

1. The City of Chicago has the Highest Crime Rates in the US

Police officers investigating a crime scene. Author; Cottonbro.

Several cities in the United States have been experiencing various types of crimes including homicides. However, Chicago has been ranked higher than several other dangerous cities in the US.

The city has been ranked among the cities with the highest crime rates with one鈥檚 chances of experiencing violent or property crime being one in 31. The crime rate in Chicago City has been at 33 per every one thousand residents.

As per the data from 2020, Chicago experienced 769 homicide incidents. This was a major increase from the 495 cases experienced in 2019. However, there is hope that the crime rates will go low as time goes by.

Read 10 Scary Things To Know About The Cheshire Murders.

2. Gang Related Violence has been Attributed to the Majority of Homicides in Chicago

Homicide incidents in Chicago have been high over the years with the question being who is attributing to these incidents. It is believed that the majority of the homicides and other crimes in the city of Chicago are attributed to gang violence.

In the city鈥檚 South and West Sides, numerous homicides have been attributed to shootings by gangs. In 2011, 61% of the homicides reported in Chicago were carried out by gangs.

Several gangs occupy the city making it a dangerous place to walk at different locations. The estimated population of gangs is rated at 1 active member from the over 70 gangs across the city.

3. Chicago鈥檚 Rate of Homicides per Capita has Decreased since the 1990s

Map of violent crimes in 2005 in Chicago community areas per 100,000 residents. Author; Peter Fitzgerald.

Even though the city of Chicago has been witnessing high cases of homicide over the years, the rate per capita has decreased massively. From January 1 to December 31 of 2022, Chicago recorded 695 homicides as per the Chicago Police Department.

The numbers of homicide were a double-digit percentage decrease, however, the per capita rate decreased compared to the 1990s. The only years which recorded more homicides in Chicago were 2016, 2020, and 2021.

4. There was a Surge in Violent Crimes in Chicago in 2016

2016 was marked as the deadliest year in Chicago after nearly 19 years of reduced crime rates. There was a significant surge in violent crimes in the city which saw thousands lose their lives in gun violence crimes.

There were 762 murders, 3,550 shooting incidents, and 4,331 shooting victims recorded in Chicago in 2016. This was a significant increase from the 480 murders witnessed in 2015 and the most since what was witnessed in 1997. Thousands of residents of Chicago were traumatized by these murders.

5. Firearms are the Major Weapons Used in Violent Crimes in Chicago

A rifle in a gig bag. Author; Alex Andre.

People have been wondering how homicides are being carried out in the city of Chicago. According to some statistics, most of the crimes committed in Chicago are carried out using guns.

Every year, Chicago Police officers usually recover about seven thousand guns from crime scenes. What is shocking is that approximately 45% of the guns are purchased by straw buyers with lax gun laws.

6. Majority of the Victims of Homicides and Offenders in Chicago are African-Americans

What shocked many with the homicide incidents in Chicago is the involvement of African-Americans. In 2015, it was reported that 198.6 homicides per 100,000 people involved black men in Chicago.

These numbers rose up to 365.3 per 100,000 in 2016 but later dropped to 273.1 per 100,000 in 2017. Young black men were 35 times more likely to die in gun-related violence in the 2017 data. They were also 13 times more likely to die in gun-related violence than any other adolescents in Chicago.

Also, read 10 Shocking Facts About Amityville Murders.

7. Shootings and Homicides were on the Rise in the Summer of the Covid-19 Pandemic Period

A person’s hands are covered in blood. Author; Neosiam.

The world was brought to a standstill during the covid-19 pandemic period. However, some areas across the world especially Chicago was experiencing various crime incidents.

In the summer of 2020, there was a surge in shootings and homicides in Chicago. The crime rates were high which also involved young African-American men. The Chicago Crime statics showed that shootings and murders increased by 50% in the summer of 2020 which was worrying.

8. There Have Been Calls to Make Gun Laws Stricter to Reduce Gun Violence

The city of Chicago has the highest number of illegal gun owners compared to other cities nearby. There are no gun stores located within the city of Chicago but several people can purchase and access them from Indiana and other locations.

Chicago has strict gun laws, but somehow people manage to violate these laws and engage in violent crimes using these firearms. There have been calls from various advocates to make gun laws stricter to make it easy to control gun-related violence.

Some of the gun laws in Chicago include a ban on guns that are designated as 鈥渁ssault weapons鈥� and laser sights. One has to have a firearms owner鈥檚 identification card to own a firearm and get a background before possessing one in Chicago. The other law is that lost or stolen firearms must be reported within 72 hours.

9. Chicago Police Department is on the Receiving End of How they Handle Crime and Violence

Chicago 10.8 Palestine Solidary is not a Crime. Author; Debra Sweet.

Over the years, the Chicago police department has worked hard in ensuring that the crime rate in the city is decreasing. However, the Chicago Police officers have received too much criticism on how they handle crime and violence in the city.

The police have been accused of the use of excessive force and racial profiling while dealing with crime across the city. It was found out that officers violated the constitutional rights of blacks and Latino Chicagoans over the years.

10. Major Actions are being Made to Curb Crimes and Violence in Chicago

Residents of Chicago have been hoping to have a peaceful and safe city where they live without fear of losing their lives or property. This has led to various initiatives being made to ensure that crime and violence are curbed in the right manner.

Some of the actions taken are by increasing community policing, coming up with important social programs, and making major investments in economic development. The issue of poverty and segregation has also been the main agenda to be dealt with to end crime and related violence.

Even though Chicago has been labeled as one of the most violent cities in the United States, there are several neighborhoods that are safe to live in. You should not be afraid to visit the city because it is one of a kind in the US.

Read Highest Murders In U.S: Here are The Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities In 2022.