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The 2021 crime statistics are downright scary
The numbers are in for Chicago regarding the crime statistics for 2021, and they are not good. In fact, they are downright scary when placed
into historical context. While it is difficult
to get a straight and honest number from the Chicago Police Department, it’s clear that crime is rising. The future does not look good for the viability of our great city.
While many reports try to minimize crime statistics and the City has shown an amazing talent for misdirection, it not debatable that crime
is up. Depending on how you want to analyze it, the facts tell us that more than 845 people were murdered in the city, with more than 3,700 wounded. According to an ABC-7 report (“As Chica- go Surpasses 800 Homicides in 2021, Top Cop Promises More Detectives, Positive Interactions,” Dec. 30, 2021), at least 4,400 people have been shot, which represents an 8 percent increase over 2020 and 68 percent more than in 2019. Let that number resonate. We have had a 68 percent increase in people shot in a two-year period. With a smaller population than New York and Los Angeles, Chicago still manages to surpass those metropoli- tan areas with ease.
The number that did stay relatively flat is persons who died as a result of officer-involved shootings. Members of the Chi- cago Police Department had to use deadly force only 22 times, with only nine resulting in the death of the offender, in 2021.
In 2020, those numbers were seven killed, 13 shot for a total of 20. Amazingly consistent trigger discipline by our officers. No Chicago Police Officer was charged with a crime as a result of those nine deaths. Unfortunately, two Chicago Police Officers were shot and killed in the line of duty this year, with 13 being struck by gunfire. To highlight that num- ber, 845 people killed, and CPD was legally responsible for only nine. What numbers will COPA focus on, one
could wonder?
The crimes were not limited to merely homicides, as our
criminal element is an equal opportunity enterprise. Vehicular hijackings numbered approximately 1,650, up from the 1,410 in 2020 and crushing the paltry 603 in 2019. All other areas of crime were also up in 2021. While not as dramatic, it still points to an overall increase in lawlessness in a city that should have more to offer than mayhem and murder.
The City has not seen numbers like this in more than 25 years. What this trend tells us is very depressing. It is not only the trag- edy of the death, it is not just the psychological toll it takes on the citizens, and it’s not just the loss of business and senseless loss of life. Those numbers make our city, a world-class city, less livable. A fact that is borne out in the recent census numbers.
Illinois lost almost 2 percent of its population from 2010 to 2020. It’s the second-worst in the nation by percentage, with only West Virginia ahead of us. With all due respect to West Virginia, the state of Illinois should not be competitive in that
TIM GRACE
The Law Firm of Grace & Thompson Specializes in Representing Chicago Police Officers
James E. Thompson, Partner JThompson@ggtlegal.com
Timothy M. Grace, Partner connorgrace@aol.com
We pride ourselves in maintaining a small-firm feel by treating each case with care and consideration.
Seasoned trial attorneys representing Chicago Police Officers in matters before the Chicago Police Board, Internal Affairs, COPA, Inspector General, and Civil and Criminal Courts.
The Law Firm of Grace & Thompson also provides professional legal services in other areas:
• Personal Injury
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Contact us today for a free consultation! 312-943-0600 • GGTlegal.com
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20 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2022