BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
Chicago had one fewer killing this February compared to last February, but slayings remain higher than last year after a violet January.
Chicago Police reported 19 murders in February 2015, one less killing than last February and six more than February 2013. The 19 slayings were more than a 20 percent decrease from the 27 murders in February 2012 and the 24 in February 2011.
Despite the slight decrease in February killings, the city still has a 20 percent increase in murders this year compared to last year after a 40 percent increase in murders in January.
Overall, police reported 48 murders through the first two months of this year compared to 40 during the same period last year. While police reported an increase murders compared to last year, the 48 killings were less than the 53 in 2013, 65 in 2012 and 52 in 2011.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office, which counts killings different, reported 49 homicides through the first two months of the year.
“While we have made significant progress in reducing crime over the past two years, a result of strategic policing and growing partnerships with residents and community leaders, there is certainly much more to be done,” Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said in a statement.
Much like murders, the number of shooting victims this February remained similar to last February.
Police said 70 people were shot this February compared to 74 last February. The 70 shooting victims is also a decrease compared to the 88 people shot in February 2013, 141 in February 2012 and 76 in February 2011.
Overall, police said 206 people have been shot so far this year, a 14 percent increase compared to the 180 people through the first two months of last year.
While the number of people shot are up compared to last year, it remains down compared to the 278 people shot in through the first two months of 2013, 308 in 2012 and 237 in 2011.
“We will continue building on our community policing philosophy, putting more officers in high crime areas, intervening in gang conflicts, and fostering stronger relationships with the communities we serve,” McCarthy said.