Violence Rising In Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) -- Violent crime in Chicago continues unabated this year, with the latest unofficial statistics showing that there were 316 more shootings in the city through August.

Through the end of September, there were 392 murders, 50 more than the same time last year.

Deputy Superintendent of Patrol Beatrice Cuello attributed the increased violence to street gang activity. She noted the arrests of high-ranking gang members has left a vacuum in which young gang members try to fill.

Crime had dropped consistently since about 2003, with murders dipping below 500 in 2004, the lowest since the 1960s. As recently as seven years ago, the murder tally was closer to 700.

David Olson of the Criminal Justice Department at Loyola University said there are likely several causes for the increase, including changes in police staffing and changes in the drug markets that drive shootings.

Comments

[Count-von-bloodmaggot]

Looks like Chicago is a war zone.

[1manisland]

We can't afford more Police damn it. We can't afford Garbage pick-up once a week. We can't afford any City Services anymore for that matter. No Better Schools and No Better Public Transporta­tion.The Mayor has priorities. Like an Olympics that HE WANTS ! So quit your whining folks. This isn't a Democracy. This is a Dictatorship. Get used to it. This is where your $ 420,000,000 budget shortfall is hiding. In the Olympic plans. Let crime continue to grow. Let the Olympic Committee see Chicago for what it has become. Sadly, it will be millions of dollars spent & too late before the Committee say's NO ! You think the Olympics isn't going to cost us? Stay tuned. It already has.......­.

[yammit]

chicago needs a little community organising

[Marcus64]

We need Batman.

[maxwellimus]

i guess chicago needs a little surge action

[zigzag1]

You mean like paying off the gangs not to shoot each other like we do with the Sunni's ?