CPD: Stats show decline in shootings, murders in March

CHICAGO (WLS) -- New numbers released by the Chicago Police Department Saturday show a drop in violence across the city last month.

CPD says that although some numbers are going down, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

In March, police said shootings declined by 35 percent for the month compared to last year and 15 percent for the year up to this point. The number of shooting victims is down 32 percent for the month.

Murders declined by 12 percent in March compared to last year and are down four percent compared to last year.

Chicago police have released results from a month?s worth of crime in the city.

A total of 37 people were killed in 168 shootings and a total of 209 shooting victims in March.

Police officials said murders declined for the second consecutive month and that is the first time that has happened since August of 2014.

Superintendent Eddie Johnson greeted people at McCormick Place Saturday morning where 16,000 people are taking the test this weekend to become Chicago police officers.

Superintendent Johnson said the decrease in numbers is encouraging and has a lot to do with new technology being used on the South and West sides to tackle crime.

"Officers are working harder, the community is stepping up, giving us information now so we can bring these individuals and hold them accountable and then the technology we are investing in some of these violent districts is paying huge dividends right now. So all of those things together is a result of the crime coming down," Johnson said.

The number of people applying is also a first. Johnson said he can't remember a time when 16,000 people applied to take the test.

On his health, Johnson said has lost 29 pounds and he may know about a potential kidney transplant in the next month.