Chicago police, Mayor Johnson discuss 2024, New Year's Eve safety efforts
2024 was the first year since 2019 where there were fewer than 600 murders and fewer than 1,000 carjackings in Chicago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said officers are prepared for a busy New Year's Eve.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
In a joint press conference on Tuesday, Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke about the 2024 safety efforts implemented by police.
The superintendent also said there will be heightened safety at midnight celebrations throughout the city.
Snelling reminded Chicagoans that celebratory gunfire is illegal. Snelling added that when officers respond to calls of celebratory gunfire, it keeps them away from other potentially dangerous situations.
"I just ask that everyone be safe and celebrate responsibly. We will have additional officers posted at large celebrations, while also maintaining staffing in the districts. So, we will not be depleting districts to make sure that we cover other areas," Snelling said.
There are fireworks, parties and large gatherings planned over the city Tuesday night.
Despite the rain, possible snow and cold temperatures, people were out and about.
"We're going to celebrate New Year's Eve with a bottle of Dom Perignon; so, we're excited," Keaton Docchio said.
Last-minute runs to the liquor store seem to be a theme for many who are just winging it this New Year's Eve.
"We don't really have anything lined up. We're just going to see where the night takes us," Emmie McConnell said.
The night will take tens of thousands to Navy Pier, where they're laying claim to the largest New Year's Eve party in the city. Three thousand shells are set to be fired off over Lake Michigan.
"We've got six city blocks here at Navy Pier and 50 acres. We've got indoor spaces; we've got outdoor spaces, all with stunning views of the lake. But, no matter where you are in the city, you're going to get a great show tonight," said Elizabeth Halajian, senior vice president of advancement for Navy Pier.
Mayor Johnson on Tuesday spoke about the city's ongoing efforts to supports Chicago police.
ABC7 Chicago took a look at CPD's data for 2024 regarding crime in the city. Here are some key takeaways:
This is the first year since 2019 that there have been fewer than 600 murders and fewer than 1,000 carjackings in a year in Chicago.
Both fatal and nonfatal shootings are at the lowest number since 2019.
Robberies have been driving the increase of violent crime in Chicago this year, but the rate of increase for robberies has been dropping quickly in the last couple of months.
Violent crime on the CTA is up, but so is ridership. When ABC7 looked at violent crime on the CTA as a function of riders, there were three violent crimes per one million riders on the CTA.
Murders:
There were 583 murders in the past 12 months, which is down 18.8% from the yearly average of the last three years (718 average murders per year).
Over the last 12 months, murders are down in 17 of 22 districts when compared to the average of the prior three years.
Shooting victims:
There were 2,810 shooting victims, both fatal and non-fatal, in the past 12 months. This was down 22.5% from the yearly average of the prior three years, which is 3,624.
Fatal shooting victims were down 20.6%.
Non-fatal shooting victims were down 22.9%.
Overall violent crime:
There were 27,679 violent crimes in the past 12 months, which is up 1.7% compared to the yearly average of the prior three years (27,217).
Overall property crime:
There were 90,629 property crimes in the past 12 months, which is up 14.4% compared to the yearly average of the prior three years (79,232).
CTA violent crime:
There were 820 violent crimes on CTA buses, platforms, stations and trains in the past 12 months, which is up 16.9% from the yearly average of the prior three years (701).
The CTA violent crime data does not include crimes in parking lots, garages, bus stops or other properties.
CTA overall crime:
In the past 12 months there were 4,020 reported crimes on CTA tracks, buses, platforms, stations and trains, which is up 28.9% from the yearly average of the prior three years (3,117).
This data does not include crimes in parking lots, garages, bus stops or other properties.
Carjackings:
There were 972 carjacking in the past 12 months, which is down 39.2% from the yearly average of the prior 3 years (1,598 average carjackings per year).
Armed robbery:
There were 5,060 reported armed robberies in the past 12 months, no change from the yearly average of the prior three years (5,048).
Overall robbery:
There were 9,220 robberies in the past 12 months, down 1% from the yearly average of the prior three years (9,312).
Motor vehicle thefts:
There were 19,302 in the past 12 months, up 4.9% from the yearly average of the prior three years (18,406).
The data for motor vehicle thefts only includes attempted automobile theft and automobile theft.
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
