Decline In Chicago Shootings Kindles Guarded Optimism

Chicago’s murder rate soared in 2016 to a 20-year high—surpassing New York and Los Angeles combined. There’s now guarded optimism that law enforcement has stemmed the violence.

The Chicago Police Department reported a decline in shootings across the nation’s third largest city over Memorial Day weekend, when there’s usually a surge in violence, The New York Times reports.

There were 18 fewer shootings in Chicago from Friday through Monday compared to last year’s holiday weekend, 46 this year compared to 64 in 2016.

Chicago Police First Deputy Superintendent Kevin Navarro said on Tuesday that the department sees an overall downward trend in shootings, The Times reported.

On Tuesday, the department said there is a 4 percent decrease of homicides in 2017 compared to the same time last year. The number of shootings also declined by more than 14 percent.

The Times said the department boosted its force by 1,300 extra cops for the holiday weekend. They arrested hundreds of people and confiscated dozens of weapons in raids on street gangs and illicit nightclubs.

Many applaud the aggressive policing but also fear it will add to the tense relationship between law enforcement and communities of color. In January, the U.S. Department of Justice found a pattern of civil rights violations and abuses in the Chicago Police Department’s tactics mostly in Black and Latino communities.

SOURCE:  New York Times

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Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama

42 photos Launch gallery

Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama

1. Barack Gives Daughter Malia a Kiss

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2. Michelle and Barack tell the kids a story

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3. Michelle and Barack Kiss

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4. Michelle and Barack

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5. First Family Portrait

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6. Two Terms

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7. Michelle and Barack host a State Dinner

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8. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama

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9. The Obamas on Air Force One

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10. The First Family in London

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11. First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia Obama and Sasha Obama

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12. Sasha and Malia Obama at the 2016 State Dinner

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13. Turkey Pardoning

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14. Sunday Church

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15. Gobble, Gobble

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16. Malia Obama, the First Daughter

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17. Barack Obama and his daughter Malia Obama

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18. A Family Affair

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19. Flashback To The Old Days

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20. Happy Birthday!

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21. Candidly Awesome

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22. Historic First Family

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23. Ice Cream Treat

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24. TV Time

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25. Always Giving Back

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26. A Christmas Story

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27. Hawaii Trip!

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28. Obama Loves Team USA & His Wife

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29. Malia and Sasha Obama

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30. Michelle Plays on a Bike

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31. Obama Loves Team USA, His Wife & Malia

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32. Reading Time

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33. Family Support

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34. The Sister Selfie

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35. Supporting Mom

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36. Giving Back On MLK Day

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37. Obamas Give Back To The Community

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38. Always Supporting Small Businesses

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39. Obama Swagger

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40. Laughs & Turkeys

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41. Christmas With The Obamas

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42. 50th Anniversary Of March On Selma

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Happy Presidents' Day! 44 Photos To Make You Miss Obama