2012 Chicago Homicide Report

Yesterday's Red Eye reported on the increased homicides in the City of Chicago in 2012. Chicago saw 513 homicides this past year, up from 448 in 2011. The 500th homicide, the murder of Nathaniel T Jackson was on December 28th. Thirteen more died before the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2013, a time period of just 3 days. The Huffington post reported that the rate of 2013's homicides are already outpacing 2012, just 11 days into the new year.

This map, also published by the Red Eye shows the spread of homicides for 2012, the smaller inset is for 2011. Austin, New City, Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, and Woodlawn were the communities most affected each having upwards of 21 homicides in the calendar year. Austin taking the lead with 37 killed.

Let's hope for less somber numbers in 2013. Don't ignore this information. It affects us all.