Chicago Goes Murder-Free … for 24 Hours

Here's something Chicagoans can celebrate. Or is it?

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy announced Thursday the city of Chicago went 24 hours without a murder or shooting. Wednesday marked Chicago's first shooting- and murder-free day for almost a year. Early 2011 was the last time the city was this still, McCarthy said.

"This is clearly the result of the tremendous police work of the men and women of the Chicago Police Department," McCarthy said in a statement, noting the CPD's efforts to move more officers to the streets since May.

In 2011, Emanuel redeployed 1,000 officers to street beats, a move McCarthy called "efficient management" and Fraternal Order of Police president Mike Shields called "a shell game."

McCarthy also pointed Thursday to the debut of CompStat as a means to fight crime, as well as Chicago's empowered district commanders given increased resources to reduce violence in their districts.
 
"While we are making progress, we still have work to do and will not be satisfied until we significantly decrease the number of murders in every community throughout the city," McCarthy said.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, speaking to reporters at a meeting with small business owners and members of the Chatham Business Association, called the event a "significant milestone."

"To me, that's the city of Chicago we all know and love," he said.

Last year Chicago saw fewer homicides than in 2010 except for the Englewood neighborhood. Police logged 419 murders days before the New Year, down from 437 in 2010. Englewood saw a 40 percent increase, though, to 56 people killed in 2011.

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