The largest graduating class since 2005 has its work cut out for it. In welcoming them to the department Wednesday, Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced the rookies will be on foot patrol in some of the city's most violent neighborhoods. But, he promised, the results are worth it.
"You have to go back to the late 50's, early 60's to find the levels of violence that we have now created in partnership with our community here in the city of Chicago," Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said.
Launched last February, Operation Impact has increased vehicle and foot patrols in 20 target areas across Chicago. The added patrols are credited with bringing about a 50% decrease in the number of shootings, a 30% decrease in overall crime from the same time last year.
"The real test will be, starting next week, there will be five of the impact zones having foot patrols. We have two today. Starting next week we'll have a few more added," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.
The police graduation comes the day after two people were killed and at least 11 were injured during shootings across the city. Jarell Doston, 22, was killed while dropping off a friend on the 6300-block of South May.
"That's my only brother. I don't have no one else. It's just me and my brother. And they took someone very special from me. It hurts," Tkeyah Doston, victim's sister, said.
As police investigate the most recent violence in the city, officials hope the new officers were help bring the crime rate down.
