Chicago Police: April 2019 Crime Summary

CPD partners with neighborhood residents to develop district-specific public safety plans; April crime reduction efforts build on near 20-year lows in robberies, burglaries, and motor vehicle thefts

The Chicago Police Department's efforts to reduce violence continued in April, with violent crime down nearly 10 percent, according to year-to-date figures. The latest statistics show double-digit reductions in murders, robberies, burglaries and carjackings for the first four months of the year, compared to the same period in 2018. Shooting incidents were also down eight percent compared to 2018 and fell 41 percent compared to three years ago.

While CPD’s strategy to reduce murders and shootings faced headwinds this month, the 16th, 19th and 24th police districts saw no shooting throughout April. This month’s crime reduction efforts also contributed to the lowest number of burglaries, robberies and motor vehicle thefts citywide since 2000, according to year-to-date data.

As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to further establish community trust on a district-by-district level, CPD held a series of community conversations with neighborhood residents, business owners, civic officials and other key stakeholders throughout each of its 22 police districts, which will culminate in 22 Community Policing Strategic Plans.

The Department also unveiled its 2019 Summer Safety Plan on April 30 to combat violence and crime in the coming months. Charged with executing these ambitious plans are several new chiefs, deputy chiefs, executive officers and commanders who were announced this month as part of changes to CPD’s command staff.

APRIL 2019 - YEAR TO DATE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Overall crime citywide dropped nine percent for April, according to year-to-date figures, which compares the same period in 2018. These overall declines were driven by double-digit decreases in murders, robberies, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts.
• Murders are down 10 percent, according to year-to-date figures for April, which compares the same period in 2018.
• Shooting incidents are down eight percent, according to year-to-date figures for April.
• Vehicular hijackings are also down 36 percent, according to April's year-to-date statistics.
• One statistical outlier in April was the 14th District (Shakespeare), which had the lowest number of murders, robberies, thefts, aggravated batteries and motor vehicle thefts of any April over the past 20 years.

"Our dedicated officers continue to work diligently to reduce crime citywide," said Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson. "I believe our officers are well-prepared to keep the city safe this summer. Everyone, in every neighborhood, deserves an opportunity to enjoy the warm weather and the many opportunities that come with it."

CPD Announces Summer Safety Initiatives

CPD's 2019 Summer Safety initiatives are a comprehensive approach to crimefighting, designed to give all residents an opportunity to enjoy each the city's vibrant neighborhoods during the summer months.

Through the plan, CPD will implement a crimefighting strategy leveraging tech & data-driven policing efforts to help our leaders deploy their resources at the right place at the right time. The Department will also increase discretionary uniformed and bike teams to deploy to high-priority areas. The summer plan also includes increased collaboration with federal partners around the proliferation of illegal guns in our communities. 

Three key components of our plan include the discretionary deployment of bike teams in entertainment districts and high foot-traffic areas, the summer CTA unit to enhance the mass transit presence, and summer mobile patrol to high-priority areas to address crime at a city-wide level, regardless of district or area boundaries. 

These teams, along with other members across the city, will take steps to address the expected increases in crime, including assessing active gang conflicts, conducting strategic anti-violence missions, and leveraging the information from their Strategic Decision Support Centers.

Command Staff Changes Aim Bring A Fresh Perspective To CPD

A number of command staff changes were announced in April, promoting deserving officers and replacing valued members of the CPD family who have moved into retirement. In all, the changes include the addition of two chiefs, four deputy chiefs, two executive officers and nine commanders. The new command staff is comprised of a diverse group of new leaders with a breadth of experience.

"I am confident that this new alignment of leadership will improve effectiveness, enhance our crime fighting capabilities, and provide cohesiveness throughout all CPD Bureaus," said Superintendent Johnson. "Each of the newly appointed men and women have proven themselves as exceptional officers and respected leaders."

Community Policing District Strategic Plans Enter Final Development Stage

A series of community conversations which began in February between CPD, neighborhood residents and stakeholders concluded last month. These conversations facilitated dialogue to address community challenges and proposed solutions, which will be incorporated into Community Policing Strategic Plans for each of CPD’s 22 police districts, and will be published next month.

These plans, which will also help CPD achieve compliance with the consent decree, provide officers in each district a roadmap for addressing chronic issues facing a community with a district-specific approach. The plans that were co-created with neighborhood stakeholders aim to make those living within each district an active participant in improving public safety. Citywide, more than 1,400 people participated in the development of the Community Policing Strategic Plans.

New Recruits Add Ambitious, Diverse Group of Officers CPD's Rank And File

A total of 49 men and women chose to pursue a career in public service by enrolling in the Chicago Police Training Academy in April. This latest class to join the academy will further surpass Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent Johnson's 2016 commitment to add 970 officers over a two-year period. This goal included replacing officers that have retired or moved on from the Department.

This aggressive recruitment goal was achieved late last year, and current figures show 2,418 new recruits have been added since January 2017.