The New Trend is Up

Homicide spreadsheet for January 2012 (click for larger view)

Chicago ended the first quarter of 2012 with 118 homicides, the worst first quarter for homicides in nine years, continuing a troublesome trend that began late last year. That is a 57% increase from the 75 homicides recorded in that same period in both 2011 and 2010. Nonfatal shootings totaled almost 490 in the first three months of 2012, up 37% from a year earlier.

The city recorded 50 homicides in March, up from 22 homicides in March 2011 and 31 in March 2010.

Criminologists contribute the rise in homiceds to the unseasonably warm weather this winter. Commenting that in better weather people are outside more which inevitably leads to more opportunity for conflict.

The worsening violence comes as the Emanuel administration touts its efforts to combat gang crime and add officers and resources to some of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.

To combat violence in two of Chicago's most violent neighborhoods, Police Superintendent McCarthy saturated "conflict zones" in the Englewood and Harrison police districts with additional officers early this year as a long-term strategy.

But the early results appear mixed. Through April 1st, homicides fell to 6 in the Harrison District on the West Side, down from 9 a year earlier. But killings almost doubled in the Englewood District on the South Side, jumping to 15 from 8. Nonfatal shootings rose sharply in both districts, however.

During one particularly violent weekend last month, 49 people were shot — 10 of them fatally, including a 6-year-old girl as she sat between her mom's legs on the family's Little Village front porch.

In the last two weeks of March, the violence continued unabated. The department's statistics show that 26 people were killed and more than 80 nonfatal shootings occurred from March 19 through April 1.

Here are the breakdowns for a few of the most affected communities as of today:

West Englewood - 10

Chicago Lawn - 10

Austin - 7

South Shore - 7

South Lawndale - 7

Englewood - 6

Dot Mapping Segregation in Chicago

Yale assistant professor Bill Rankin, proprietor of Radical Cartography addresses segregation in Chicago. He believes that block mapping is inaccurate. As Rankin points out, solid-color maps "visually reinforce political ideals... of ethnic homogeneity." His solution is to create census-based "dot maps," an old but infrequently used form of cartography. His award-winning dot-map of Chicago makes a great companion to the other maps of the city, because you can see how neighborhoods break down by race. Let's let him explain:

See more on Bill Rankin's Radical Cartography website.

Hayt School

I came upon these images today and realized that I never shared them. In the spring of 2011 while Killing Season was showing at Mes Hall in Rogers Park, I got to do a workshop with a group of young men from Hayt Elementary School. They were part of a club at their school for African-American and Hispanic boys. Since the recent influx of hispanic families into the area, there have been some issues with violence between the two groups. This club was aimed at mending that rift.



After checking out the exhibition, we had a discussion about violence and "the broken window theory. " the kids were broken up into two groups to go out and photograph with disposable cameras. They were asked to take pictures of things that could be indicative of violence in the neighborhood. The images that they took were fantastic and insightful. Here are a smattering of some of my favorites.

Killing Season Mentioned on WBEZ's 848

I got a nice mention by Lauren Viera on WBEZ's the 848 on Monday while she was being interviewed about public art in Chicago.
The broadcast can be heard here.
Chicagoans reconsider public art after peeking up Marilyn Monroe's dress

Killing Season at Mess Hall

Here are some much overdue installation images of Killing Season at Mess Hall.

The images are displayed in a visual graph of the 103 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day of last summer and the 168 homicides that occured within that time frame. Each column represents a day and each image represents a person. The installation wrapped around the gallery taking up aproximately 50 feet of linear wall space. Repeated images denote that there were multiple people killed in that location.

I had about 5 minutes and an unfamiliar camera to take these pictures with, so I apologize for the poor quality. The website (coming soon) will give a much better look at this display.

Best Week on Record

For those of you that live in Chicago and do your daily commutes on the trains or busses, you probably pick up the RedEye to pass the time on the way to your destination. If so, you most likely notice that each Thursday, they publish a map showing all the homicides in the city for the week along with the dates, addresses, and causes of death. This past week there was only 1 homicide in the City of Chicago.

As quoted from the article above, "RedEye has never published a homicide map with just one victim since the newspaper began printing homicide maps in February 2009." There was a six day span between the last two homicides, which is recently unheard of in Chicago.

19 homicides have been recorded so far for the month of January 2011, just one less than least year with a few days to go.

While it is unfortunate that there was even one death, it is exciting to see such a quiet week.

Here is a link to the RedEye Homicide Tracker.

Cook County Medical Examiner's Office

As a result of a 1972 referendum, the Office of the Medical Examiner of Cook County was established December 6, 1976, and the Office of the Coroner was abolished. The Office is the only Medical Examiner system in Illinois and covers half the population of the state. The Office of the Medical Examiner plays a vital role in the administration of justice and protection of public health.

More than 18,000 deaths are reported to the Medical Examiner annually. Of this 6,000 are accepted for investigation. The office performs about 5,200 autopsies each year.


The Medical Examiners Office investigates any human death that falls within any or all of the following catergories:
criminal violence, suicide, accident, suddenly when in apparent good condition, unattended by a practicing licensed physician, suspicious or unusual circumstances, criminal abortion, poisoning or attributable to an adverse reaction to drugs and/or alcohol, disease constituting a threat to public health, disease, injury or toxic agent resulting from employment, during medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, in any prison or penal institution, when involuntarily confined in jail, prison hospitals or other institutions or in police custody, when any human body is to be cremated, dissected or buried at sea, unclaimed bodies, when a dead body is brought into a new medico-legal jurisdiction without proper medical certification


The Medical Examiners Office provides:
Certificate of Death (to funeral directors for filing with local registrar)
Autopsy Protocol (description of what is found at autopsy)
Toxicology Report (lists any foreign substance found in body)
Special Study Reports (if applicable)
Cremation Permits (to funeral directors)

"Block Club Carries On, but Fear and Frustration With City Persist"

In the Chicago section of the Sunday New York Times this weekend there was a great article addressing the issues of violence that presently plague the city of Chicago. The article hones in on one neighborhood in particular, 8100-8200 South Winchester, using it as an example of the problems many Chicagoans face and how they specifically are working to keep their street free of gangs, drugs, and violence.

Read the article here.

CeaseFire - The Campaign to Stop the Shooting

MISSION:
The mission of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention is to: a) work with community and government partners to reduce violence in all forms; and, b) help design interventions required to better define what should be included in a community or city anti-violence plan.

HISTORY:
Formed in 1995, the Chicago Project takes a strategic public health approach to violence prevention. This approach has been employed to address and reduce other serious health threats, such as child mortality, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, smallpox, and polio. It includes a full commitment to a specific objective (in this case stopping shootings), the setting of long-term and short-term goals, strategy development based on best practices and adapted to the local situation by local practitioners, and a management structure that works at both the community and city/county levels. The public health approach relies heavily on public education to change attitudes and behaviors toward violence, outreach using individuals recruited from the target population, community involvement to change norms, and evaluation methods to monitor strategy.

The Chicago Project has formed partnerships with community-based organizations to develop comprehensive strategic plans for reducing violence. An Advisory Board and Steering Committee, comprising criminal justice, health, religious, and civic leaders, provide support for strategy development and leverage city and county resources for the project and its partners.

The project is supported by private foundation grants and with local, state, and federal funds. The project is housed at the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

To accomplish its mission of preventing violence, the Chicago Project initially developed a plan and built an organizational structure to provide technical assistance and support for a comprehensive and community-based effort to reduce and prevent violence.

Eventually, through discussions with community partners, crime experts, and representatives from a cross-section of government agencies, the Chicago Project's steering committee developed an 8-Point Plan for reducing violence. CeaseFire, which emerged after five years of development and field testing of various pieces of a violence reduction strategy, brings to life key elements of the 8-Point Plan. Its focus is street violence, particularly shootings and killings.

CeaseFire was adapted from the best violence reduction work of several cities — notably Boston , which had extraordinary successes in the 1990s — and the best research of public health of the last several decades. After reviewing gang violence reduction projects initiated and evaluated by the US Department of Justice and lessons emerging from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods and mindful of the public health approach discussed earlier, the Chicago Project added the community and public education components to its violence reduction initiative.

After a year of needs assessment, planning, and building collaborative relationships at the local level, CeaseFire was formally launched in early 2000 with outreach workers in the West Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago. Police Beat 1115 was chosen as the first CeaseFire zone in large part because of the high number of shootings. In the first year of CeaseFire, shootings in beat 1115 dropped by 67%.

By the beginning of 2006 CeaseFire was either established or in the process of being implemented in 15 neighborhoods in the city and at sites in five other cities in Illinois.


Watch this video on CeaseFire's approaches and effectiveness:


Find out more about this great program here

Eddie Izzard Talks About The Gun Thing

Feeling Lied To (3+)

There seem to be some disparities between what I am finding reported and what has actually occurred. As X and I were looking up addresses yesterday, a few of the locations, three to be exact, came up with more than one homicide in the same incident. These additional people were never reported in the media and are therefore unaccounted for in statistics that have been reported. I have a sneaking suspicion that there are a whole lot more to be dug up.

Until I found out more information I will just note the discrepancies.

JD Tillis was listed along side Terrance Jackson in the 4400 block of W Wilcox St in Garfield Park. No age is known at this time.

Stephanie Valdeolivar was listed along side Divai Serna in the 3000 block of N Kolmar St. No age is known at this time.

Tameka Soloman was listed along side Lajuan Webb in the 4200 block of W. Cermak Rd. No age is known at the time.

That adds at least 3 more people onto the tally of 90 homicides so far this summer. I intend on looking into these names and reporting back with my findings. I find it hard to believe that people can just disappear without a trace. I wonder if these people are just that alone in life that no one cares about them or their passing. Another possibility is that some are being unreported to falsely lower the perceived homicide rate that Chicagoans already know is soaring.

Gun Control

click to enlarge

I have looked at numerous articles arguing both sides of the debate on gun regulations. One argument is that more guns equals more gun violence. The other side of the debate is that more guns equals less violence. Both sides seem to have legitimate arguements with their own circumstantial evidence. One thing everyone seems to be avoiding is the fact that whether or not there are gun laws, the majority of gun related violent crime is carried out with fire arms that are unregistered or stolen. The people that are responsible gun owners who register their guns and keep them stored safely are not the ones we need to worry about. I can't see a guy buying a gun off the street and going out to register it so that when he kills someone he can be traced. It seems like some important issues are being ignored.

Here are some links for further information
New York Times editorial - The Court: Ignoring the Reality of Guns
Chicago Breaking News - Chicago's Gun Ban Unravels
CNN - High Court Strikes Down Chicago Handgun Ban

and...

Here are some interesting statistics from Forensic Firearms Identification

Chicago's Gun Ban Overturned in the Supreme Court

McDonald vs Chicago

I am curious to see how this effects my project as the laws change and the summer progresses.

The Supreme Court has ruled Chicago's 28-year-old strict ban on handgun ownership unconstitutional. A 5-4 conservative majority of justices on Monday reiterated its two-year-old conclusion the Constitution gives individuals equal or greater power than states on the issue of possession of certain firearms for self-protection. The court grounded that right in the due process section of the 14th Amendment. The justices, however, said local jurisdictions still retain the flexibility to preserve some "reasonable regulations" of firearms including restrictions on gun possession by felons and the mentally ill and bans on guns in schools and government buildings.

Today's ruling follows a decision two years ago in which the court for the first time declared that the 2nd Amendment protects the rights of individuals. The amendment says, "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Otis McDonald, 76, one of the people who sued Chicago over the gun ban, thanked the justices "for having the courage to right a wrong, which has impacted many lives long ago and that will protect lives for many years to come." When asked by a reporter what type of handgun he would buy, he did not miss a beat. "I don't have no preference right now. I can use all of them," he said. Another person who sued the city, Colleen Lawson, said she was confident the ban would be struck down. "It's like in the Wild West... there's a higher court," she said. "The higher court is the constitution of the United States."

"If (the) safety of . . . law abiding members of the community would be enhanced by the possession of handguns in the home for self-defense, then the Second Amendment right protects the rights of minorities and other residents of high-crime areas whose needs are not being met by elected public officials." It was also noted that the number of Chicago homicide victims during the current year equaled the number of American soldiers killed during that same period in Afghanistan and Iraq

Wayne LaPierre, chief executive officer of the National Rifle Association, said he was concerned that the "constitutional victory" of today's ruling will be "turned into a practical defeat by defiant city councils and cynical politicians who seek to nullify or revise this decision through a byzantine labyrinth of regulations and restrictions" to make handgun ownership "unaffordable and inaccessible." Addressing Daley, LaPierre said: "He's saying, 'I don't care if it's a constitutional right.' The opinion of Mayor Daley doesn't entitle him to throw out the Bill of Rights."

The justices sent the case back to Chicago for a lower court to issue the final decision, so the city's ban remains in effect for now. An attorney involved in the case advised against Chicagoans running out and purchasing handguns until a lower court rules on the matter later this summer.

Defining Homicide?

Overnight, 2 people in Chicago were killed in seperate hit-and-run incidents. What I think I can tell from muddling through a bunch of law speak is that these are considered either acts of criminal negligence or reckless homicide. Although these incidents both resulted in a loss of life by the hand of another person, I am chosing to exclude them from the project because it appears that they were not intentional.

Here is a breakdown of the Illinois State Laws regardinig homicide:


What is First Degree Murder?

Under Illinois Law (720 ILCS 5/9-1), a person commits the Felony crime of First Degree Murder when:

(a) they kill an individual without lawful justification if, in performing the acts which cause the death:

(1) they either intend to kill or do great bodily harm to that individual or another, or know that such acts will cause death to that individual or another; or

(2) they know that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to that individual or another; or

(3) they are committing, or attempting to commit, a forcible felony other than second degree murder.

In Illinois, First Degree Murder is punishable from a minimum of 20 years in prison to a maximum of life, including the possibility of a death sentence, if aggravating factors are present as provided for in 720 ILCS 5/9-1(b)1 through (b)21. The entire prison sentence for First Degree Murder must be served. There is no “good time” or any time reduced from the actual prison sentence. In addition, certain factors may add to any sentence or be considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.

What is Second Degree Murder?

Under Illinois Law, (720 ILCS 5/9-2), a person commits the Felony crime of Second Degree Murder when:

(a) they commit the offense of First Degree Murder as defined in paragraphs (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of Section 9-1 (see above) of this Code and either of the following mitigating factors are present:

(1) At the time of the killing they are acting under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation by the individual killed or another whom the offender endeavors to kill, but he negligently or accidentally causes the death of the innocent individual; or

(2) At the time of the killing the believe the circumstances to be such that, if they existed, would justify or exonerate the killing under the principles stated in Article 7 of this Code, but their belief is unreasonable. Basically, Article 7 provides that a person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another, or the commission of a forcible felony.

Unlike First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder is a Class 1 Felony that that carries from 4 to 20 years in prison. However, as an alternative to jail, probation is available for up to four years.


What is Involuntary Manslaughter?

Under Illinois Law, 720 ILCS 5/9-3(a), a person commits the Illinois Felony Crime of Involuntary Manslaughter when they unintentionally kill an individual without lawful justification if their acts, whether lawful or unlawful, which caused the death, are such as are likely to cause death or great bodily harm to some individual, and they perform them recklessly.

Under Illinois sentencing laws, Involuntary Manslaughter is a Class 3 Felony but can be raised to a Class 2 Felony if aggravating factors exist as provided for in 720 ILCS 5/9(e)2 through (e)(9) and (f). Probation is usually available for a Class 3 Felony, however, if aggravating circumstances are present, a mandatory jail sentence may be required.

What is Reckless Homicide?

Under Illinois Law, 720 ILCS 5/9-3(a), a person commits the Illinois Felony crime of Reckless Homicide if by their reckless acts they kill an individual and the cause of death consists of the driving of a motor vehicle or operating a snowmobile, all terrain vehicle, or watercraft. Further, a person commits the Illinois crime of Reckless Homicide if they unintentionally kill an individual while driving a vehicle and use an incline in a roadway, such as a railroad crossing, bridge approach, or hill, to cause the vehicle to become airborne.

Under Illinois sentencing laws, Reckless Homicide is a Class 3 Felony but can be raised to a Class 2 Felony if aggravating factors exist as provided for in 720 ILCS 5/9(e)2 through (e)(9) and (f). Under Illinois sentencing laws, a Class 3 Felony is punishable between 2 to 5 years in prison. Under Illinois sentencing laws, a Class 2 Felony is punishable between 3 to 7 years in prison. Probation is usually available for Class 3 and a Class 2 Felony. However, if aggravating circumstances are present, a mandatory jail sentence may be required.

Missing Information

I got a text message from Policeman X yesterday telling me about two homicides in his district. I will post more info about these when I get it. Interestingly, these two murders seem to have slipped through the media...hmm...

Eight Forty-Eight

I was interviewed by Richard Steele yeasterday morning on Chicago Public Radio's program Eight Forty-Eight.
Listen here

Police Woman "C"

I am excited to say that I officially have another police officer willing to help me out with this project, police woman C . I had drinks with her last night to discuss logistics. I don't think she'll be wearing this outfit because she is not going to a Halloween party, but otherwise, everything seems to be panning out as I hoped.

We are planning on going out to take the first set of photos next week.

I am going to be on Chicago Public Radio on Monday morning to talk about the project. They contacted me yesterday. I don't know how they heard about it, but I am greatful for the opportunity to get the word out. I will update when I know more about what time, show, etc.

Otherwise, today was a quiet day.

Chris Rock on Gun Control

Bad shooting...27 shot and only 3 dead over the long weekend. This would be unheard of in Chris Rock's world.

Crash, Bang

Mike Conway crashes Sunday at Indy 500

Being in Bloomington, Indiana for Memorial Day weekend, we were within the 50 mile black-out area for the Indy 500. While my father-in-law walked around the backyard with the AM radio on his shoulder listening, my wife took to the internet news to get updates on the race. I was floating peacefully in the pool when she came out of the house and announced to me that my project started with a "bang, no pun intended, 22 shot in Chicago so far this weekend." Holy S*%&!

Shooting

I have a new sort-of-mantra that involves something about doing things that I am afraid of and things that I think may be out of my reach or things that I find myself thinking that other people do, but I don't. This is about when I found myself at a range just west of city limits shooting hand guns with my cousin and his CPD friend. Hand guns are something that I never thought I'd shoot, but there I was getting a lesson through my earmuffs over the muted cacophony of blasting shells. I didn't do too badly.


On the ride home, I enlisted the officer to aide me in this project. He agreed to escort me to photograph at the places that are within his district (on the West Side). He said that his district usually "wins" for the most homicides a year. He also repeatedly told me how dangerous it is to go into some of these neighborhoods, even with him. I thought about getting a bulletproof vest, then thought that was just being paranoid, then realized that I will be investing in a bulletproof vest in the very near future. Although I am just making photographs, this is all very real. I will need to be smart about protecting myself.