The Shameful Reality of Summer in Chicago

31 May, 2016

Gun violence has marked the unofficial start of summer in Chicago, where dozens have been shot and six have been killed over Memorial Day weekend.

The Chicago Tribune reports a total of 15 people were shot overnight into Tuesday, two fatally. The newspaper says those shootings bring the total number shot since Friday to 68.

Chicago police say final numbers will be released later Tuesday.

Police had announced plans to step up patrols throughout the city in an effort to prevent violence that occurred during Memorial Day weekend last year, when a dozen people were killed and 44 more were hurt.

Murders in the nation’s third-largest city are up about 72%, while shootings have surged more than 88% in the first three months of 2016 compared with the same period last year, according to data released in April by the Chicago Police Department.

Police said the disturbing rise in violence is driven by gangs and mostly contained to a handful of pockets on the city’s South and West Sides.

The Chicago Police Department reported 468 murders in 2015, a 12.5% increase from the year before. There were 2,900 shootings in 2015, 13% more than the year before, according to department records.

AP

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