Number of homicide in Chicago drops in 2017

CHICAGO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Some 644 people were killed in Chicago by Tuesday in 2017, down about 15 percent from 754 reported in the same period last year, the largest single-year drop in homicides since 2004.

According to the Chicago Tribune's statistics by Wednesday, the number of people wounded and killed by gunfire dropped by about 18 percent to 3,543 from 4,327, averaging about 10 shootings a day.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson attributed the decrease to introduction of new technology and tactics in the crime-plagued neighborhoods. He also cited improving relationship between the police and the community, Chicago Tribune reported.

From the police side, the two key measures of police aggressiveness, arrests and street stops, are around the same level this year as last year: while overall arrest are flat, arrests for gun crimes have increased by 28 percent.

Experts are not so enthusiastic about the drop, saying Chicago will still end 2017 with historically high homicide totals. If 2016 was excluded, the homicide toll in 2017 would be the highest in Chicago since 2002.

In 2016, Chicago reported more than 700 homicides and over 4,000 shooting victims. Enditem