Despite an initial forecast Chicago would see an increase in the homicide rate this year, the city a saw a dramatic decrease in crime for the month of February, according to Christian Science Monitor.
14 homicides were reported in February, the lowest since 1957, according to a Chicago Police Department report.
The CPD have been heavily covering “hot zones” where street violence commonly occurs. They have dispatched 200 officers to these areas.
Since this new initiative there have been zero homicides in those areas, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarth said, according to the CS Monitor.
The report is shocking given the city’s staggering yearly murder stats.
Gun violence has plagued the city of Chicago for many years. Many residents have renamed the Windy City “Chiraq” for its high rate of violence. Chicago, according to statistics, has a higher homicide rate than Kabul, Afghanistan.
In 2012 alone, the city recorded 506 murders.
The beginning of 2013 didn’t show any slowdown in pace. Chicago saw its deadliest January since 2002 with 45 homicides reported, according to CBS.
NBC Chicago estimated the Windy City is on pace to reach 730 homicides this year.
In Chicago, the homicide rate is disproportionately higher amongst its minority residents. There have been 2,045 homicides since Jan. 1, 2007 amongst the African American demographic, according to Red Eye Chicago. There were 647 homicides amongst Caucasians since 2007.
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