News Affairs

12:05 AM (5 hours ago) to News, OCNA Group

**In light of recent increased activity and to ensure we have the most accurate statistics; the Chicago Police Department’s Monthly Crime Email was delayed from earlier this week.

CPD ANNOUNCES CONTINUED REDUCTION IN OVERALL CRIME FOR MAY
The Chicago Police Department today announced a 20% reduction in overall crime citywide for May compared to the same month last year. This category includes: murder, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated battery, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Robbery, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft in Chicago remain at 20-year lows year-to-date.

The reductions were sustained as the Department worked to balance its public health and public safety efforts amid the COVID-19 crisis and in response to the protests, violence, and looting in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

“Chicago Police officers were challenged with striking a balance between ensuring the First Amendment rights of peaceful protestors and protecting the city from violent looting,” said Superintendent David O. Brown. “Our officers will be there as neighborhoods throughout the city work to rebuild. We are dedicated to keeping Chicago safe.”

Just as the overwhelming majority of protests remained peaceful this week, the majority officers followed their training and supervisor direction during these difficult times. However, in response to multiple violent incidents, looting and destruction of property that were unrelated to the peaceful protests, CPD announced today that 1,258 individuals were arrested during the weekend that concluded the month of May. Of those, 699 arrests were related to criminal conduct tied to looting and destruction of property.

More than 130 CPD officers were taken to the hospital throughout the weekend. Several officers required stitches; one officer suffered a broken arm; and another officer had a heart attack.
In response to the planned demonstrations and increase of activity, police officers began working in 12-hour shifts, and all days off have been canceled. During the last weekend of the month, officers recovered 135 guns and made 62 gun arrests. Year-to-date, CPD has recovered more than 3,500 guns through May 31.

The City has partnered with street outreach organizations, local chambers and community leaders to organize an all-hands-on-deck effort to clean up and deliver basic necessities to businesses and retail shops that have been impacted by last week week’s events.

Summer Mobile Patrol Unit Deploys
CPD’s Summer Mobile Patrol Unit deployed May 28 to supplement the Department’s summer crime fighting strategy. The more than 100 officers detailed to Summer Mobile come from the 22 districts within the Department as well as other divisions. The unit will patrol and deploy to different areas of the city depending on emerging conditions, crime patterns and special events.
The Summer Mobile Patrol Unit assists Districts and Areas to prevent violence. The unit also provides an increased uniformed police presence in communities that have been recently affected by violence in an effort to deter additional crime.

Summer Operations Center Launches
CPD and the Office of Emergency Management (OEMC) launched a first-of-its-kind Summer Operations Center (SOC) on May 21 to focus on public safety this summer. The SOC pools together resources from multiple City agencies, including the Park District, Streets and Sanitation, Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago Public Schools. The goal is to bring all city services together to reduce violence citywide.

The SOC gives CPD the ability to monitor activity in all 22 districts and deploy resources more quickly and efficiently to parts of the city that require extra attention. The operations center also capitalizes on CPD’s technology, with full access to the City’s camera network, the 911 call center, computerized dispatch and more. The SOC will operate from Thursday evening to Monday morning every weekend this summer.

More than 11,400 Dispersal Orders Issued As CPD Continues to Enforce Stay-At-Home Order
As CPD continued to prioritize the health and safety of all residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, officers issued more than 11,400 group dispersals to enforce the statewide stay-at-home order through May 30. Officers also issued 45 citations for those who refused to comply with the order, and 27 arrests in cases where individuals failed to comply after multiple warnings.

More Than Half of CPD Members Who Tested Positive for COVID-19 Return to Duty
CPD continues to monitor the health and safety of its Department members during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 562 CPD employees tested positive for COVID-19 through May 31. More than half of the Department’s officers who were diagnosed with the virus have since been medically cleared and have returned to work.

SHOOTINGS 1 JAN – 31 MAY 20
2017: 1063
2018: 842
2019: 736
2020: 956

SHOOTING VICTIMS 1 JAN – 31 MAY 20
2017: 1260
2018: 990
2019: 868
2020: 1127

MURDERS 1 JAN – 31 MAY 20
2017: 248
2018: 205
2019: 196
2020: 245

SHOOTINGS – MAY 2020
2017: 257
2018: 249
2019: 198
2020: 332

SHOOTING VICTIMS – MAY 2020
2017: 296
2018: 299
2019: 239
2020: 409

MURDERS – MAY 2020
2017: 59
2018: 51
2019: 53
2020: 85

Police Officer Hector Alfaro
Chicago Police Department
Office of Communications
(312) 745-6110
Fax (312) 745-6999

By CCNM

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