Three straight years of falling crime rates — and yet Chicago has a long way to go
“These gains are the result of a data-informed, collaborative strategy with Chicago’s police officers, community-based organizations and street outreach groups who have dedicated their lives to keeping this city and its residents safe,” write Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck and First Deputy Supt. Anthony J. Riccio in their joint op-ed. Read more: Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago’s homicide rate decreases for the third straight year
Chicago ended 2019 with 490 murders, according to the UChicago Crime Lab (final numbers will be determined after an FBI audit), about 13% lower than 2018's total of 564 and roughly 35% fewer than 2016, when Chicago reported its highest number of homicides in two decades: 756. “These historic reductions in citywide crime are the direct result
Chicago police applaud community’s help in three recent shootings of innocent bystanders in Little Village. ‘We are fed up,’ one mother says.
CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that police had never before seen "this level of cooperation and involvement” from Little Village residents with gang shootings. CP4P outreach worker Benny Estrada is quoted, but the article doesn’t mention CP4P by name. Read more: Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Chicago’s top cop on police and community: ‘We have a crisis of trust.’
Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck says CPD is committed to enhancing collaboration with community groups and that he sees promise in the PSPC-supported neighborhood policing initiative being trialed on the West Side. Read more: Chicago Tribune
Lawsuit’s novel approach: State is responsible for children ‘disabled’ by gun violence
An NBC News report discusses the class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of a Chicago child and hundreds of other children against the State of Illinois. Read more: NBC News
Philadelphia has a gun violence epidemic. What if it were treated like any other contagious disease?
Experts are increasingly fond of saying that gun violence should be treated like a public health problem, like a contagious disease that will infect ever more people unless preventive measures are taken. But what exactly does it mean to take a public health approach to gun violence? CureViolence tries to change how Philadelphians view violence prevention. Philadelphia
A modest but smart approach to end gun violence in five neighborhoods
The early findings from research on READI Chicago are promising. At $20,000 per participant, it’s not cheap. But the costs of putting more gun offenders in prison or jail is much higher. Chicago Sun-Times, Nov. 30, 2019 Read More
Report: Counselors for Chicago Cops Lack Computers, Sessions Scheduled on Paper
A court-mandated assessment of the Chicago Police Department’s counseling division found a hard working unit hampered by a “shoestring” budget and a shocking lack of “essential technology.” This assessment of CPD’s counseling division was produced with the help of CCA. WBEZ-FM, Nov. 29, 2019 Read More
News Release: As Summer Heats Up, Chicagoans Step Up to Combat Violence
NEWS RELEASE AS SUMMER HEATS UP, CHICAGOANS STEP UP TO COMBAT VIOLENCE $1.1 Million in Grants Support 181 On-the-Ground Initiatives CHICAGO – The flare-up of violence over Memorial Day weekend is an agonizing reminder that comprehensive short- and long-term strategies are needed to support Chicagoans who work to make our neighborhoods safer. For the fourth consecutive year, the Chicago Fund for Safe
PSPC Statement on InVEST Campaign
The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) supports the broad goals of the InVEST campaign to reduce violence in Chicago through effective and sustained community programs. InVEST's broad goals reflect the objectives of PSPC, a coalition of 40 funders and foundations established in 2016 and united by a multifaceted approach toward reducing gun violence in Chicago. PSPC