McCarthy: February Murders 4th Lowest On Record
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said February's homicide total was one of the lowest ever, and continued a trend of dropping violent crime that started more than a year ago.
The 20 homicides in Chicago last month was the 4th lowest February murder toll on record, according to Chicago police. Overall, the number of murders was up from February 2013, when there were 114 homicides, the lowest on record for February.
However, shootings were down 38 percent compared to last February, and overall crime was down 28 percent.
McCarthy said the results were not due to one specific thing, but he did credit the department's gang violence reduction strategies.
"This is going to be a continuing trend, and this is our sixth consecutive quarter with significant shooting and murder reductions, which is pretty significant," he said.
The superintendent said the biggest gains have come in challenging neighborhoods – like Englewood, Gresham, and Grand Crossing.
"We're making significant gains here, but we have a long way to go," he said. "The goal is zero, and I know that sounds crazy, but that's really what we're aiming for."
