Chicago Shooting Statistics 2017: Victims In January Surpass First Month Of Historically Bloody 2016

Despite several efforts from the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Rahm Emanuel aimed at curbing the amount of gun violence in Chicago, the number of shooting victims so far this year was higher compared to the January in the historically bloody 2016. Chicago witnessed more than 300 people getting shot and 53 homicides in the first month of 2017, according to the Chicago Tribune Tuesday.

The number of shooting victims in the Windy City through this January surpassed the 292 people shot in January 2016. But the number of homicides fell short of the 57 killed in January last year.

The 229 reported shootings after the first month of 2017 were nearly identical to the number of gun-related incidents seen in Chicago by this time last year, which was 231.

President Donald Trump took to Twitter Jan. 24 to comment on the city’s problem with gun violence, saying if “Chicago doesn't fix the horrible 'carnage' going on (then) I will send in the Feds." Earlier that same day, Trump issued a challenge to Emanuel to contain the number violent crimes.

"If the mayor can't do it he must ask for federal help," Trump wrote.

The Chicago Police Department and Emanuel’s administration created several initiatives aimed at reducing violence in 2017, including plans to hire nearly 1,000 officers by the end of the year and implementing support groups for young men who might be more prone to violence in some neighborhoods.

Three police districts in the South and West sides of the city made up 50 percent of the murders in January.

Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson has also been working with municipal lawmakers on creating legislation that would increase the jail time for repeat gun offenders.

“In 2017, CPD will focus on initiatives that aim to reduce violence, increase the capability of our police officers, and rebuild public trust,” Johnson said in a statement. “Through these investments we will make this a safer year for Chicago.”

2016 was recorded as being one of the deadliest years in Chicago in decades as more than 4,367 people were shot and 784 were killed in homicides.