December 31, 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling reflected on this year’s public safety accomplishments and challenges during a press conference with Mayor Brandon Johnson.
During the press conference, Superintendent Snelling spoke about CPD’s efforts to reduce violence in every neighborhood across the city. Through December 30, 2024, officers have taken more than 12,650 guns off of the streets and their efforts have led to an 8% reduction in homicides, a 7% reduction in shootings, and a 4% reduction in shooting victims.
“While this is progress, we still have work to do. We still have to go out and make sure that everyone feels safe across this city, no matter what neighborhood you’re in.” – Superintendent Larry Snelling
Supporting the victims of these crimes remains a core focus for CPD. The Crime Victim Services Unit continued to provide support to survivors of violence, while the Family Liaison Office expanded to better serve the families of homicide victims. Throughout the year, the Family Liaison Office hosts engagements that create community amongst families who are experiencing the grief of loss. This is the first year they have held a series of events for National Crime Victims Week.
Superintendent Snelling also spoke about challenges the Department faced in 2024, and how the department worked to address these challenges.
In August, CPD was tasked with securing the city during the 2024 Democratic National Convention, including outside the convention footprint and large-scale protests. Following more than a year of preparation and training, officers assigned to DNC operations secured the area around the convention footprint, as well as related First Amendment activity. Throughout the convention, patrol officers continued district operations to maintain public safety in every area of the city.
CPD also worked to address a spike in robberies earlier this year. To prevent and reduce additional robberies, the Bureau of Detectives, the Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Bureau of Patrol launched a citywide Robbery Task Force in May. The task force addresses robberies through on-the-ground missions and investigations that leverage technology. The Helicopter Unit assists in the missions, utilizing three new helicopters the department procured this year. Robberies have reduced by 25% citywide since the launch of the task force, which has cleared 246 cases, including 158 robbery-related cases and 12 robbery patterns.
Superintendent Snelling also acknowledged the grief CPD experienced this year following the loss of three CPD officers who died in the line of duty. Officer Luis Huesca and Officer Enrique Martinez were killed by the gun violence while protecting this city and its people. Officer James Crowley passed away from the catastrophic injuries he sustained in an on-duty accident 37 years ago.
Click here to view the full press conference can be viewed here.