crimescene

According to a study released by Yale University, Chicago’s murder rate appears to be heading for an all-time low this year.

The study examined major crime trends from 1965 to 2013, and reveals that your chance of being murdered in the city depends on where you live. 

From NBC Chicago:

[The] city is expected to have its lowest overall murder rate since 1967, and the lowest violent crime rate since 1972.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Police Chief Garry McCarthy and others have pointed to a combination of comprehensive crime-fighting tactics, firearms seizures, police overtime and programs such as job training for at-risk youth as important steps in reducing murders and crime overall.

Read more at NBC Chicago

The study shows that in many ways, Chicago remains to be segregated when it comes to crime. 16 out of 77 communities in the city saw at least a 25 percent decrease in violent crimes from 2011-2013. Other areas continues to see a decades-long pattern of violence. High rates on homicide remained prevalent on the West and South sides of the city, in predominantly Black and Latino communities.

For example, the average homicide rate form 2000 to 2010 in West Garfield Park was nearly 64 per 100,000 compared to a rate of 3.10 per 100,000 in Jefferson Park, a community located on Chicago’s Northwest side.

Chicago ranks 19th in the country in violent crime, lagging behing Detroit, Oakland and St. Louis in 2012.

Thoughts on the study’s findings?

How do they impact your perspective on Chicago’s crime issue?

Sound off below!