Chicago violent crime plunges as alderman praises police

Chicago Ald. David Moore says he’s finally starting to see the change he’s long been envisioning when it comes to reducing the city’s out-of-control violent crime numbers.

“I'm not getting the calls and even more than that when I drive around at night because I like to see where those hot spots are. I don't see that activity like I used to in some of those very hotspot areas,” Moore told The Center Square. “I was just commending the District Commanders when we were in our meeting, just telling them let's continue to stay proactive on this. Let's not lay down where we can improve.”

Chicago Police Department data shows violent crime numbers are now down 24% across the city compared to last year, including the recent Memorial Day weekend when the 24 people shot represented roughly half the number of 2024 shooting victims.

Fatal shootings were also down over the 72-hour window, dropping from 12 last year to four this year.

Moore, who earlier this year felt the need to camp out overnight on a crime-ridden streetcorner in his Englewood District in hopes of bringing greater attention to the situation, said he can sense that residents are starting to feel more at home in their own neighborhood.

“They are feeling a little bit safer, but to continue that, what we have to do is continue what we're doing,” he said. “Memorial Day was the real test. It was nicer than I thought it was going to be. Every tool that the administration put in making sure their kids had things to do, if they keep doing those things through the hotter days, as we get into June and July, I think we'll be OK.”

While Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has touted his new violence intervention program, which includes greater community outreach to and investment in young people, for spearheading much of the change, Moore is also quick to sing the praises of police.

“Let me tell you, 90% of it is due to [Police Commissioner] Larry Snelling, but you have to give the mayor credit because he chose Larry Snelling at the request of the community,” Moore said. “When you hear and talk to the rank and file, this is a commander that understands all. This is a commander who all of them respect and they work hard for. The tools that he put in place to hold accountability to his commanders and to his sergeants, it's unmatched.”

With the U.S. Department of Justice having recently cut safety grant community programs across the country by more than $800 million, city officials say they are hoping local groups will have the resources to be able to continue to provide the same level of services and outreach.