The Windy City is having a very violent year and according to new numbers, Chicago just wrapped up its worst September for homicides since 2002.
September was Chicago's deadliest month since 2002, with 60 homicides. Through Sept. 27, homicides and shooting incidents had risen 21 percent from the year-earlier period, Police Department numbers show. Most of the City Council's black aldermen last week called for Emanuel to fire police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, but the mayor said he supports his top cop.
So why the increase in violence? Mayor Rahm Emaunel is blaming police hesitation and heavy media scrutiny for criminals running wild.
"We have allowed our Police Department to get fetal, and it is having a direct consequence. They have pulled back from the ability to interdict … they don't want to be a news story themselves, they don't want their career ended early, and it's having an impact," Emanuel said, according to the Washington Post.
In the meantime, I haven't heard any new outcry from gun control advocates over these latest murder stats.