Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Mayoral candidates decry Chicago violence ‘crisis,’ even as summer murders hit 61-year low

wbez.org · 12dShare

Despite historically low levels of violent crime in Chicago this year, candidates trying to replace Mayor Brandon Johnson are sweeping aside the numbers in favor of anecdotes and are depicting the city as reeling in a “crisis” of gun violence and lawlessness. Chicago had 122 murders in June, July and August, according to city and police data posted through Tuesday evening. That’s the lowest summer total since 1965. Overall violent crime hit its lowest level last year in more than four decades. City data shows the downward trend has continued this year. In their mayoral quests, nevertheless, candidates keep stoking public anxiety about violent crime. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, making her second run for the office, went on WBEZ last month and said the city faced a "public safety crisis." She pointed to the Chicago Transit Authority. “How about let’s not shoot people on the CTA,” Mendoza said. “Let’s not allow people to violate people on the CTA or set them on fire. And those ar

First report: Mayoral candidates decry Chicago violence ‘crisis,’ even as summer murders hit 61-year low — suntimes.com, 12d