With Chicago violent crime down, alderman praises police
[June 09, 2025]
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Chicago Ald. David Moore says he’s finally
starting to see the change he’s long been envisioning when it comes to
reducing the city’s out-of-control violent crime numbers.
“I'm not getting the calls and even more than that when I drive around
at night because I like to see where those hot spots are. I don't see
that activity like I used to in some of those very hotspot areas,” Moore
told The Center Square. “I was just commending the District Commanders
when we were in our meeting, just telling them let's continue to stay
proactive on this. Let's not lay down where we can improve.”
Chicago Police Department data shows violent crime numbers are now down
24% across the city compared to last year, including the recent Memorial
Day weekend when the 24 people shot represented roughly half the number
of 2024 shooting victims.
Fatal shootings were also down over the 72-hour window, dropping from 12
last year to four this year.
Moore, who earlier this year felt the need to camp out overnight on a
crime-ridden streetcorner in his Englewood District in hopes of bringing
greater attention to the situation, said he can sense that residents are
starting to feel more at home in their own neighborhood.
“They are feeling a little bit safer, but to continue that, what we have
to do is continue what we're doing,” he said. “Memorial Day was the real
test. It was nicer than I thought it was going to be. Every tool that
the administration put in making sure their kids had things to do, if
they keep doing those things through the hotter days, as we get into
June and July, I think we'll be OK.”
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Chicago Police during a news conference
Chicago Police Department
While Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has touted his new violence
intervention program, which includes greater community outreach to
and investment in young people, for spearheading much of the change,
Moore is also quick to sing the praises of police.
“Let me tell you, 90% of it is due to [Police Commissioner] Larry
Snelling, but you have to give the mayor credit because he chose
Larry Snelling at the request of the community,” Moore said. “When
you hear and talk to the rank and file, this is a commander that
understands all. This is a commander who all of them respect and
they work hard for. The tools that he put in place to hold
accountability to his commanders and to his sergeants, it's
unmatched.”
With the U.S. Department of Justice having recently cut safety grant
community programs across the country by more than $800 million,
city officials say they are hoping local groups will have the
resources to be able to continue to provide the same level of
services and outreach. |
