BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
When looking at annual homicides in Chicago there are two numbers that should be considered — those provided by the Chicago Police Department and those provided by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
Chicago Police and the medical examiner’s office are the two primary reporting agencies, however, the two use different methods for compiling their numbers.
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By MICHAEL LANSU, JESSICA KOSCIELNIAK AND SAFIYA MERCHANT
Homicide Watch Chicago
Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy checks his cellphone every morning for the latest crime notifications. The news almost always is grim.
Despite averaging 1.1 murders a day, Chicago Police reported a 17 percent decrease in killings from 2012 and the fewest murders in the city since 1965. But McCarthy isn’t celebrating. “This is progress, not success,” he said, “We still have way too much gun violence in this city.”
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As of Dec. 26, homicides were at a record low in Chicago. These graphics break down homicides in Chicago in 2013 and provide historic perspective:
Homicides by Chicago community area:
