By Emma Gomez
@redlineproject
In 2024, some Chicago crime rates were at the lowest that they have been in a decade. However, rates are still high and crime continues to plague the city.
Although crime is still happening, the decline is making significant improvements to public safety.
According to the Chicago Police Department, homicides decreased by almost 8% compared to last year, reaching its lowest point since 2019. Shootings also declined by 7%, with fewer victims than in 2023.
Despite this improvement, the city still faces challenges, particularly in high-crime neighborhoods. The University of Chicago’s end-of-year review for crime trends showed a decrease in homicides and non-fatal shootings, but Black residents were more likely to be killed than white residents, experiencing homicide rates much higher than white residents.
Not all rates are dropping, aggravated assault, battery, and robberies remained at a concerning level in 2024, rising to the highest it had been in two decades. CPD had to organize specialized task forces to handle the amount of crime being done in these areas.
Chicago reported 1,614 fewer crimes than last year, with the arrest rate trending down for the past 20 years, arrests were made in about 1-in-7 violent crimes.