Watch CBS News

Despite Weekend Violence, Top Cop Says Police Making Progress Fighting Crime

Garry McCarthy
Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy (Credit: Regine Schlesinger)

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago's police superintendent says his department is making a significant dent in the city's crime rate.

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy credits his policing strategies with a sharp reduction in crime compared with earlier this year.

"Since then, it's definitely turned," he said. "In fact, the murder rate is down to about 18 or 19 percent off of what it was last year, where earlier in the year, it was up by 66 percent.

"And the shooting rate is down under 20 percent where it was at about 40 percent earlier in the year."

Supt. McCarthy says the toll of five people killed around Chicago over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend is identical to last year.

He said Chicago is on pace for the year to reduce crime more than any other big city.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger Reports

Podcast

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.