2022 fell short of being a repeat of a very 90s-like 2021. However, 700+ homicides can hardly be considered a rousing success worthy of a ticker tape parade down State St.
With the press of legislation and City / Prosecutorial policy to release offenders on no bail, to fail to prosecute criminals and / or to plead them down to releaseable misdemeanors, I see no way that Chalkie doesn't get over 800 this year.
Unless, of course, the storm clouds of inflation, economic hardship, energy / fertilizer shortages, or just the flailings of a .gov whose commands are ignored sets fire to the fragile societies which are our overcrowded cities.
About ten years ago, in what I think was an experiment, the food stamp accounts in Birmingham, AL did not reload on the 1st, due to a "computer error". By the 4th, the groceries and WalMarts in the neighborhoods occupied by the usual suspects had been looted and not resupplied.
The cards were reloaded by the 5th, but it took far longer to reopen stores.
Triggering events are not always obvious. If you think you see one and get out of town then, at worst, you have a short vacation.
If there is a triggering event and you stay, the outcome could be much worse.
I am feeling optimistic so I will say 800 murdered and closer to 4000 shot. What is often missed in the news about Chicago murders is that, at least from a homicide standpoint, Chicago is quite safe....as long as you are White or Asian. For blacks and Hispanics, not so much.
The lack of urgency and denial by Lightfoot and company that Chicago have a major crisis of crime frustrates me and most people. Yet Lightfoot easily says we have a homeless crisis , and fails to see what is under her nose
I guess her perspective on crime is warped when she has 177 cops just protecting her and her family 24x7 what crime !!! BTW 177 is over 50% what most police districts have in total cops
Wondering how we can be totally sure of the numbers? Is it possible they can be manipulated? While 2022 was bad according to official numbers, it's hard to believe they weren't WAY higher. It's so clear all around us that crime is WAY up. I feel like someone is just trying to maintain the numbers.
Imagine you're 50K feet above the U.S.,looking down and tasked with finding a solution to the moral decay increasing exponentially across the land, with violent crime increasing year after year and no end in sight - how to stop the spiral of youth murder, knowing billions of our tax dollars have been thrown at the problem and wasted. Nothing has worked, nothing!
The main task is to save those in harms way in ALL communities, not just the likes of Chicago or Philly, or New York or...
The following is radical, but we live in radical times and I see no other alternative: Mandatory conscription- for ALL youth starting on their 18th birthday and for two (2) years.
Service to the country, with all going through military type basic training at the start and then followed up with specialization in specific areas of service. All will wear uniforms specific to their branch of service and will serve either in the military, forest service, FEMA, peace corps, etc.
The above will do a number of positive things; for 2 years city youth will be absent from the 'killing fields' and given life skills in their absence. Instilled in them will be a love of country and an education not able to be gotten from our failing schools. They will learn disciplines that can be taught to others upon their return to their communities if they desire to return. (Exposed to a whole other world they may not want to come back, but it would give them at least a chance to see things outside those 'free fire zones' they came from.)
I see no other alternative. If nothing else these 2 years will have kept the most vulnerable ALIVE and given the opportunity to save this country by their service to it.
With the press of legislation and City / Prosecutorial policy to release offenders on no bail, to fail to prosecute criminals and / or to plead them down to releaseable misdemeanors, I see no way that Chalkie doesn't get over 800 this year.
Unless, of course, the storm clouds of inflation, economic hardship, energy / fertilizer shortages, or just the flailings of a .gov whose commands are ignored sets fire to the fragile societies which are our overcrowded cities.
About ten years ago, in what I think was an experiment, the food stamp accounts in Birmingham, AL did not reload on the 1st, due to a "computer error". By the 4th, the groceries and WalMarts in the neighborhoods occupied by the usual suspects had been looted and not resupplied.
The cards were reloaded by the 5th, but it took far longer to reopen stores.
Triggering events are not always obvious. If you think you see one and get out of town then, at worst, you have a short vacation.
If there is a triggering event and you stay, the outcome could be much worse.
Stay frosty, heads up, eyes out.
John in Indy
I'll go 40 shot in the loop this year. 699 total, largest increase in 016 and 017.
Thank you, Sir. I figured deaths around 1/4 shootings,and, with additional deaths, one more cop related shooting.
A major point being that police violence isn't the problem. Good policing would make Chicago safer, but the Mayor and her Minions won't allow it.
I am feeling optimistic so I will say 800 murdered and closer to 4000 shot. What is often missed in the news about Chicago murders is that, at least from a homicide standpoint, Chicago is quite safe....as long as you are White or Asian. For blacks and Hispanics, not so much.
My prediction overall: 750 killed, 3200 shot, 3 deaths by cop shooting.
The lack of urgency and denial by Lightfoot and company that Chicago have a major crisis of crime frustrates me and most people. Yet Lightfoot easily says we have a homeless crisis , and fails to see what is under her nose
I guess her perspective on crime is warped when she has 177 cops just protecting her and her family 24x7 what crime !!! BTW 177 is over 50% what most police districts have in total cops
Thanks black people
Wondering how we can be totally sure of the numbers? Is it possible they can be manipulated? While 2022 was bad according to official numbers, it's hard to believe they weren't WAY higher. It's so clear all around us that crime is WAY up. I feel like someone is just trying to maintain the numbers.
seven thirty five and the shooting gallery was alive
The Safe-T-Act will open the flood gates.
Ring in a brand new year
With homicide to fear
Imagine you're 50K feet above the U.S.,looking down and tasked with finding a solution to the moral decay increasing exponentially across the land, with violent crime increasing year after year and no end in sight - how to stop the spiral of youth murder, knowing billions of our tax dollars have been thrown at the problem and wasted. Nothing has worked, nothing!
The main task is to save those in harms way in ALL communities, not just the likes of Chicago or Philly, or New York or...
The following is radical, but we live in radical times and I see no other alternative: Mandatory conscription- for ALL youth starting on their 18th birthday and for two (2) years.
Service to the country, with all going through military type basic training at the start and then followed up with specialization in specific areas of service. All will wear uniforms specific to their branch of service and will serve either in the military, forest service, FEMA, peace corps, etc.
The above will do a number of positive things; for 2 years city youth will be absent from the 'killing fields' and given life skills in their absence. Instilled in them will be a love of country and an education not able to be gotten from our failing schools. They will learn disciplines that can be taught to others upon their return to their communities if they desire to return. (Exposed to a whole other world they may not want to come back, but it would give them at least a chance to see things outside those 'free fire zones' they came from.)
I see no other alternative. If nothing else these 2 years will have kept the most vulnerable ALIVE and given the opportunity to save this country by their service to it.