Mayoral candidates address newly released crime statistics

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Both candidates in the race for Chicago mayor weighed in on new crime statistics released by the Chicago Police Department Wednesday.

But to start the day, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's well-financed campaign rented a Hilton ballroom and bought lunch for nearly 1,500 predominantly African American women. There was a grilled chicken salad, a strawberry dessert with a heavy portion of Rahm love.

"I went to Sarah Lawrence College, one guy for every five women," Emanuel said. "I feel very comfortable here."

It was a much lower-key start to the day for challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who had coffee with residents of a Northwest Side neighborhood.

"This is where you really learn what life is like on a daily basis for people in different parts of the city," Garcia said.

Later, the candidate and a group of retired police officers noted the sharp, year-to-year increase in Chicago homicides and gun violence.

"Shootings are up 40 percent so far in 2015, and it hasn't been a very warm spring," Garcia said.

"Yes, homicides are up and shootings are up," Emanuel said. "Gun seizures are up."

The mayor said overall city crime is down. He spoke at a news conference to announce endorsement by several state lawmakers including Ken Dunkin, who only six months ago demanded Emanuel fire Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy.

"I'm going to follow the mayor's lead with his four years of experience," Dunkin said.

"What about McCarthy? Retain him? Yes," Emanuel said.

Garcia says, if elected, he'll hire 1,000 more cops including detectives to investigate and solve homicides. On McCarthy, he promised to give the superintendent an interview and what sounded like a slim chance to keep his job.

"The report that we are addressing today is very disappointing." Garcia said. "I'm very disheartened. This doesn't bode well for Supt. McCarthy."

The Chicago Defender newspaper and WVON radio released results of a poll they sponsored measuring African American support for both candidates. Emanuel led Garcia 46 percent to 36 percent with 18 percent undecided.

Early voting for the runoff election ends April 4.