CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis on Monday credited better management of information and more community involvement for a decrease in crime in the city, including the fewest number of homicides in 45 years.
Chicago had 435 murders in 2010 — 25 fewer than
during 2009 and the least since 1965 when there were 395 murders, according to
preliminary statistics. The homicide rate at the end of December was 5.4 percent
lower than at the end of 2009, and the city saw a 4.2 percent decrease in total
crime.
"These statistics are a reflection of the
thousands of men and women of the department and the millions of residents
across the city who we serve while working together," Weis said at a news
conference at Chicago police headquarters.
Weis also said Chicago has had two straight years
of consecutive month-to-month reductions in overall crime.
"Every day, we're looking at what happened the
night before and we're trying to put our resources where they can best be
deployed, targeting who they need to target," he said.
The superintendent also said police are seeing
fewer people willing to obey the "code of silence" that keeps
community members from reporting crimes to authorities.
"This code protects criminals and has gone on
far too long," Weis said. "But we are starting to see a crack in this
code."
But there's still much to be done to curb gang and
gun violence, Weis said. And, addressing youth violence will remain a priority
in 2011, he said.
"We must work together to break the cycles of
violence which continue to plague too many of our communities," Weis said.
"Especially where young people are concerned, positive relationships must
be in place to serve not only as an example but also as a buffer between
violence and danger lifestyle choices."
