Chicago Police Increase Presence in an Effort to Decrease Gun Violence

Police in Chicago continue their efforts to crack down on crime, working to curtail the rampant number of gun crimes committed across the Windy City.

Officers were out in full force this weekend across the South and West sides of the city, where gang violence is most prevalent, as part of a new operation to crack down on crime. The coordinated effort includes resources from the FBI, Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and CPD. Even Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson was on patrol Friday night, lending assistance with the arrest of three carjacking suspects.

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“We just want to send a clear message to the people perpetrating this gun violence in our communities that we simply won’t tolerate it,” Johnson said.

In addition to an increase in police presence on the streets, officers are also increasing traffic stops and visits to parolees.

“One thing that we do every day is analyze the crime data in terms of where violent crime is occurring across the city. So these areas that we’ve designated tonight is because of that fact,” Johnson said.

The efforts come in the weeks following the second deadliest month this year. The city of Chicago finished the month of October with a staggering 78 murders, 353 shootings and 427 shooting victims.

“The amount of violence in Chicago this year is totally and completely unacceptable. So the hope for this particular mission is to have no violence in these areas this weekend,” Johnson said.

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Johnson started a similar program earlier this year, announcing the “Summer Patrol Unit” program in June after Chicago reported 67 homicides in May. Despite the Police Superintendent’s efforts, homicides continued to increase to 72, 70 and 96 for June, July and August respectively.


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