Statistics Of Crime In Chicago

Final Thoughts About The Safety Of Chicago

If you look at the crime stats, Chicago is not a safe place to visit. The number of homicides and shootings is unnerving and the other metrics dont instill confidence. However if you talk to the residents of the city, they say their city is safe and the violence is only concentrated in certain sections of the city and in places where you probably arent going to visit anyways.

While there are no guarantees in life, you can mitigate the chance of yourself becoming a victim if you learn the layout of the city. You should know which areas to avoid, the soutside and the westside and specific neighborhoods Austin, Englewood, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, South Shore, North Lawndale, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Little Village, Grand Crossing, Roseland, Chicago Lawn, West Pullman, Near Westside.

Data Show Violent Crime Has Been On The Rise For Last 3 Years In Chicago

CHICAGO — Data make clear that the people of Chicago are caught in the crosshairs.

Our own research has found that violent crimes are all up over the last three years in Chicago.

For this research using publicly-available data from Chicago Police on the Chicago Data Portal, we focused on violent crimes as defined by the FBI homicides, aggravated assaults, aggravated batteries, robberies, and sexual assaults.

Contributing Factors: What We Know So Far

Disproving popular myths about rising crime is one thing. Identifying the factors that have driven crime over the last few years is much more difficult. Crime is complicated, and attempting to isolate a single factor to explain crime trends, especially during a once-in-a-century global pandemic, would be a mistake. However, some information has emerged pointing to factors that may partially explain what happened in 2020 and 2021. Understanding these factors may also inform potential solutions.

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Crime Persists In Chicagos Most Segregated Neighborhoods

Whether exacerbated by gangs or guns, though, Chicagos killings are happening on familiar turf: Its poor, extremely segregated neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. And many say that is Chicagos real violence issue.

Where do gangs come from? They tend to take root in the very same neighborhoods that drive these other problems, said Robert J. Sampson, a professor at Harvard and the author of Great American City: Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Effect. You cant divorce the gang problem from the problem of deep concentrations of poverty.

What predicts violent crime rates is concentrated poverty and neighborhood disadvantage, and what determines concentrated poverty is high levels of black segregation combined with high levels of black poverty, said Douglas S. Massey, a sociology professor at Princeton University.

In Chicago, homicide rates correspond with segregation. While many areas have few or no killings, the South and West Sides are on par with the worlds most dangerous countries, like Brazil and Venezuela, and have been for many years.

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Is The Public Transportation Of Chicago Safe

The CTA is relatively safe to take during peak daylight hours, especially during the commuting hours. We do not recommend you take the CTA at night, as it can get sketchy. We recommend that you take an Uber or hail a taxi to get to your destination at night.

We also recommend that you keep situational awareness at all times, which means not burying your head in your phone and not having your headphones on.

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What Are Chicagos Crime Rates

AreaVibes3,926 per 100,00067% higher than the national average violent crimemotor vehicle theftviolentproperty

Political corruptionwidespread povertyonly seventh in the nation when it comes to murder rates

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The Impact Of Criminal Justice Reform

Broadly, it does not appear that policies associated with criminal justice reform were a significant contributor to recent trends in crime and violence.

Some policymakers and police leaders have been quick to blame rising crime on reforms to pretrial detention laws and practices, arguing that people released from jail under these initiatives were responsible for, or at least contributed to, the increase in violent crime. These arguments gained traction across the country over the last two years, but no evidence has emerged to support them.

In New York State, for example, police leaders argued early in 2020 that the states bail reform law which aimed to reduce unnecessary pretrial incarceration and ensure that more people could await trial in their communities caused an increase in shootings in New York City by forcing judges to release people who posed a danger to the community. This claim did not hold up to initial scrutiny, however. Today, the best available information, including data released by the state and a local nonprofit agency, suggests that bail reform did not drive increases in crime. Ultimately, the states bail laws were further revised in April 2022 to limit pretrial release for certain people with previous arrests and allow judges to consider a broader range of factors when setting release conditions in some cases. But the impact of these new changes on public safety and pretrial incarceration remains unclear.

Understanding The Crime Rate In Chicago

How are crime rates interpreted? When researchers and police departments calculate crime rates, they divide the number of crimes reported by the citys population. That figure is then multiplied by 100,000. While total crime rates are important, experts also look at violent crime and property crime rates separately. Violent crimes include crimes such as murders, abductions, assaults, and more. On the other hand, property crimes include burglary, theft, and more. The data comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Statistics 2019.

Heres a quick summary of total crime rates in Chicago:

• Chicago total crimes: 113,870
• Chicago total crime rate: 4,188 per 100,000 people
• Chance of being a victim of a crime in Chicago: 1 in 24

Every citys police department and/or government website regularly releases important crime data. Its a very helpful way to get a close-up look at the Chicago crime trends. to review weekly crime statistics from the Chicago Police under the citywide crime statistics link. In addition to the weekly reports, the City of Chicago lists case and arrest logs that residents can review here. Chicago also offers a Chicago IL crime map.

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Chicago Murder Map And Neighborhood Totals

Theres been a lot of media coverage of all the shootings and murders in Chicago lately but all too often these claims are made without presenting much in the way of data. So I always base my annual review of crime in Chicago on the numbers from the Chicago crime data portal so that we know what were dealing with. First, I updated my time series through the end of June Chicago murders by month along with a 12 month moving average line in red. It does confirm that the number of murders in the city was on the decline up until the pandemic hit and then things turned around for the worse hitting a record high for the 20 years we have good history for. For the 12 month period ending in June there were 783 murders in Chicago vs. 592 the last time I checked. That record is largely driven by the surge that occurred in July 2020.

As I always point out the data is highly seasonal with a surge during the warmer months and a decline during the winter. I guess the bitter cold has some benefits.

The number of people getting murdered in Chicago each month started picking up right when the pandemic hit

Chicago Crime Rates Faq

What is the crime rate in Chicago, Illinois?

Chicagos total crime rate is 4,188 per 100,000 people. There is a 1 in 24 chance of being a victim of a crime in Chicago.

What are the worst areas of Chicago?

The most dangerous areas in Chicago include West Garfield Park, West Englewood, and North Lawndale.

Is Chicago safer than Atlanta?

Atlanta has more violent crime overall, but Chicago has more murder and manslaughter incidents.

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Guns Are A Key Difference

People who know both cities say there are some significant differences in policing, especially around the issue of guns.

The homicide rate in Chicago is just a little higher than in New York when guns arent involved. But when it comes to shootings, both fatal and not, Chicago stands out, suggesting a level of armed interaction that isnt happening in New York.

Number per 100,000 people

Homicide by means other than firearm

Chicago

Chicago has a reputation for strict gun laws, and gun rights advocates often point to it as proof that gun regulation doesnt reduce violence. But its laws arent what they used to be: Federal courts struck down its ban on handgun ownership in 2010, and its ban on gun sales in 2014. And a New York Times analysis showed guns were easily available from nearby jurisdictions, especially Indiana.

Most Dangerous Parts Of Chicago: How To Stay Safe In A Red Zone

Chicago is well known for its crime no one has tried to argue that Chicago is a safe place to live. In fact, Chicago is one of NeighborhoodScoutstop 100 most dangerous cities in the United States . However, not every part of Chicago is as dangerous as the numbers may claim. Some parts of Chicago are relatively safe, such as Printers Row.

However, some areas in Chicago are incredibly dangerous. The most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago has a violent crime rate that is 943 percent higher than the national average, making it a severely dangerous neighborhood to live in. That being said, how can a person stay safe while living in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago? And what are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago?

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Numbers Show A Decrease

Through June 26 there had been 304 homicides in Chicago, approximately a 10% decrease from the 336 recorded during the same time frame last year.

There were 1,220 shootings incidents in the first half of the year, a decline of 17% from last year, according to Chicago Police Department statistics.

The overall drop comes after a significant two-year spike in gun violence, including a 60% increase in homicides during 2020 and 2021, a time when the pandemic struck and the country faced a national reckoning over police abuse in America that included sustained criticism of especially big-city departments.

The six-month numbers also show a roughly 25% increase in robbery victimizations, according to city of Chicago data portal. And carjackings, a crime that has received widespread attention, remain higher this year, with a 7% increase, according to the portal.

The gun violence also is trending down in some of the citys less-safe neighborhoods. But the figures remain elevated in unexpected places, including downtown, which presented a challenge for the department at the start of summer.

Officers were forced to contain large groups of teenagers who gathered in the center of the city and caused unrest but also violence, including the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old Seandell Holliday near The Bean in May. A city curfew was enacted for Millennium Park, forbidding unaccompanied minors from being there after 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Most Common Violent Crimes:

The crime rate in Chicago is high as compared to other neighboring regions. It is also four times higher than the national average murder rate. Approximately 21 people are shot in 100,000 people every year.

• The murder rate is 21 per 100,000 people annually. So, it is important to be careful at night and always pay attention to your surroundings.
• The robbery rate is 259 cases on an average per 100,000 people every year. Its good to carry only the amount of cash you need for that day or maybe one or two days more if needed. Always check your pockets before going out or leaving a restaurant. Lastly, take care not to display your cash unnecessarily.
• The assault rate is 566 cases per 100,000 people every year. So its always a good idea to take a cab after dark and avoid walking around alone in the streets at night.
• The rape rate is 67 cases per 100,000 people every year. So its not a good idea to wander around alone. Always try to take a cab after dark and avoid walking alone in the streets.

Property crimes are also quite common, with 4,122 annually. Hence it is important to be careful while going out at night and always pay attention to your surroundings. In addition, always keep a close eye on your belongings when you are traveling.

Always keep your possession in view for safekeeping. Keep valuables safe in a locker at the hotel or even in a banks safety deposit box when traveling to Chicago.

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Here Are What Some Residents Of Downtown Say About The Area:

• “Chicago has one of the safest downtowns in the United States.”
• “Downtown is really nice and pretty and safe.”
• “Downtown Chicago is very tourist friendly and safe. Its not a war zone, theres just gang violence in specific parts and Downtown isnt one of them.”
• “Downtown is one of the safer areas of the city.”
• “Downtown Chicago is perfectly safe for tourists. The downtown area is a business centric area and after everyone leaves for work, it gets pretty boring. Unless there is an event or a concert, there isnt really much reason to be here. “

More Boots On The Ground

The challenges ahead in 2022 for Chicago are significant and the summer months will certainly determine if the short-term gains hold.

Some noted that Chicago Public Schools closed just two weeks ago, which means there are more youth in need of programming now, at a time that agencies are facing staffing shortages. The Chicago Park District announced Tuesday that fewer than half its pools would open Tuesday, amid a lifeguard shortage that had already delayed public pool openings.

Recruits receive their certificates during the Chicago Police Department’s recruit class graduation and promotion ceremony at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom on March 29, 2022.

And Chicago police are facing significant personnel shortages, putting a strain on officers who are facing long work weeks.

But this summer also marks a new, and significant, commitment by the city to support a more diverse and community-driven strategy for public safety.

The Community Safety Coordination Center is operating for the first summer season. The center aims to harness resources from all city offices from sanitation to Park District to combat violence. It is also trying to fast-track support and money to a strength Chicago always had, namely local organizations and neighbors trying to address the violence in their own corner of the city.

There is a lot of strategy this summer including more boots on the grounds with outreach and more summer programs, Skogan said.

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What Are The Safest Neighborhoods In Chicago

Undeniably, the entire city of Chicago has been struggling with high crime for years. When you start analyzing by neighborhood though, you need to pull in all the necessary data. According to documented crime statistics, the violent crime in Chicago is exceptionally concentrated to a fairly small number of communities, most of which suffer from high poverty rates.

For renters and potential buyers, finding a neighborhood that is safe for you and your family is always top priority. While you can certainly ask residents which communities are the safest, the most accurate answer comes from the raw data.

In order to determine the safest neighborhoods in Chicago, we researched FBI crime reports. More specifically, violent crime, property crime, and total crimes per capita. Those with the lowest average rankings made our list of the 10 safest neighborhoods in the city of Chicago:

Lets explore each of these neighborhoods in detail, their characteristics, crime rates, and livability.

Other Places To Avoid In Chicago Illinois

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Apart from the areas listed above which are the worst neighborhoods in Chicago according to statistics, there are other areas you should avoid as much as possible. These are:

• Wicker park

These areas are not just safe they are also excellent for families as well. If you are looking for family-friendly areas in Chicago, you can make your pick from any of these neighborhoods.

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What Do Residents Of Chicago Say About Its Safety