72 murders, 361 shootings in Chicago in June, according to CPD

WLS-TV‎ - 16 mins ago

CHICAGO POLICE PREPARE FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND AFTER 72 MURDERS IN JUNE




Chicago police are increasing patrols for holiday weekend. (WLS)

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By Jessica D'Onofrio
Updated 7 mins ago
CHICAGO (WLS) --

Chicago police say they are increasing the number of officers on foot and bike patrol and more officers working overtime will concentrate on hot spots this holiday weekend.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says he is using every tool he has this holiday weekend.

At a press conference Friday morning, Supt. Johnson, state troopers, Cook County Sheriff's deputies and emergency management officials outlined a battle plan.

More than 5,000 uniformed and plain clothes police officers will flood the city.

"Beginning tonight and through the weekend, expect to see a larger police presence throughout the city, especially at Navy Pier, on the lakefront in parks, CTA stations and on city streets," Johnson said.

The Illinois State Police are also supporting the effort with aircraft patrolling the roadways and strict DUI enforcement.

"I have said this before and I'll say it again, our number one goal is to save lives," said Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz.

This comes as the city closes out the month the June with some ugly statistics. The city of Chicago saw 72 murders last month, according to crime data released by Chicago police Friday. It is the most of any month so far this year. There were also 361 shootings in June and 447 shooting victims.

Halfway through the year, there have been 315 murders, up almost 50 percent from the same time last year, and more than 1,600 shootings and 1,953 shooting victims.

The city is on pace for 700 murders in 2016.

"Repeat gun offenders are telling us that they're not going to stop that behavior unless we stop them and so that's what we're going to do," Johnson said. "We're going to stop them because it's unacceptable."

Johnson says it is up to state legislators to help him fight this fight and narrow in on about 1,400 offenders who have been identified as the root of the mayhem.

"If we can remove these repeat offenders from the communities that they're terrorizing, then our gun violence will go down," Johnson said.

Supt. Johnson is expected to meet with State Senator Kwame Raoul Friday afternoon to announce a push to reform gun policy in Illinois.

Meanwhile, Navy Pier officials promise it will be safe during the Fourth of July weekend.

"Throughout the Pier we will have presence from security from the Chicago Police Department as well as private security and Navy Pier security so we will definitely be a very, very safe place," said Navy Pier spokesperson Payal Patel.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/72-murde...-june/1409581/