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Crime and public safety in Chicago are not new issues. Every summer and election year, residents and nonresidents alike read the headlines and hear from city leaders about the problem. Despite all the talk, Chicago continues to face challenges around keeping everyone in the city safe. However, fresh solutions to the problem have been emerging at the community level.
This four-part series examines not only the current reality of crime in Chicago but also offers stories from Chicagoans and hyperlocal organizations that are stepping up to stop the violence and create opportunities for their neighbors. We also learn about how these grassroots solutions are working and who else has a role to play in preventing violence in Chicago.
Part 1: The daily realities of violence in Chicago
David Olson and Don Stemen: Gun violence dominates the news, but is crime out of control in Chicago?
Constant exposure to these weekend tallies skews our perceptions of crime and violence in Chicago. Further, the focus almost exclusively on these two specific forms of violence — homicides and shootings — potentially leads to the misperception that “crime is out of control” or “there is nothing that can be done.”
Faith leaders: The astounding cost of one gunshot in Chicago
Based on a sample of more than 700,000 American gunshot victims — contemplate that for a moment — researchers determined inpatient charges average $95,887. One 63-cent bullet leads to more than $100,000 in hospital bills. But this is just the tip of the iceberg of the cost of one bullet.
Roseanna Ander and Meredith Stricker: The effects of gun violence ripple across Chicago’s economy
Gun violence disproportionately drives population flight in those South and West Side neighborhoods where economic development is most needed. For example, between 2000 and 2020, neighborhoods with high rates of gun violence like Austin and Englewood lost 32% and 44% of their Black communities, respectively, due in large part to people’s concerns about safety.
Part 2: Stopping violence in the moment
Jason Little: A shooting upended my life. Now I help young Chicagoans build futures beyond gun violence.
A lot of the gun violence in Chicago occurs between people who know each other, who live near each other, who may have gone to school together and who are facing similar everyday challenges. Issues that should be settled with words or, at most, fists, are too often settled with guns, and the consequences are devastating.
Vaughn Bryant: What is community violence intervention?
Imagine an effective policing strategy that makes neighborhoods safe; causes residents to feel protected, without others being dehumanized in the process; and generates mutual trust between law enforcement and the populace. It’s called CVI, which stands for community violence intervention.
Tio Hardiman: The keys to stopping violence in Chicago are relationships and respect
Establishing strong personal relationships with those at risk of committing violence can help quell conflicts and prevent bloodshed. Those who work with my organization, Violence Interrupters, have a solid name on the streets, and they are trained to make sense out of the madness. They help people break down the facts of a conflict and understand the costs of taking a life.
Andrew Papachristos: Targeted violence prevention is working in Chicago. Workers need to reach more people.
There are a lot of strategies to reduce gun violence, but one of the most innovative and straightforward is underway right here in Chicago. The strategy is called FLIP, which stands for “flatlining violence inspires peace.” Starting in 2018, FLIP targeted 21 hot spots in three high-crime neighborhoods during summertime evenings and weekends. The impact was immediate.
Part 3: Recovery in the aftermath
Bob Karr: Hiring workers from the South and West sides is a win-win for Chicago
Blommer Chocolate is one of more than 40 companies in 17 industries that have hired graduates of a violence prevention program, and we will keep hiring them because they are hardworking, talented and hungry to succeed. They are desperate to do something with their lives.
JaShawn Hill: Violence in Chicago ends when we give a voice to the unheard
Chicago Survivors, focuses on treating individuals who have suffered from senseless acts of violence by providing free therapy and crime victim services and giving a voice to the unheard. Through various forms of therapy, we are able to guide survivors and give them an outlet to find peace.
Yolanda Fields and Damien Morris: Reducing violence in Garfield Park requires community involvement
Garfield Park is a beautiful community filled with strengths and challenges. Hyperlocal violence prevention efforts are led by individuals with lived experience who can relate to the issues and barriers that men and women face in the community.
Jorge Matos: Intervention programs have created ways for Chicagoans to heal from violence
Programs such as READI Chicago challenge learned behaviors, teach accountability and professional development, and help participants identify their triggers. It is designed to target the highest-risk individuals and work with them to help change their thinking, regulate behaviors and create employment opportunities.
Part 4: Getting the whole city involved
Editorial: For those working so hard to turn the tide on gun violence, we offer our gratitude
One conclusion flows out of almost every piece: Police cannot accomplish violence prevention by themselves. It is the job of the entire city. That message comes through forcefully from the faith leaders, social researchers, community leaders and anti-violence workers, as well as the law enforcement community.
Tom Vanden Berk: How the modern gun safety movement is breaking the cycle of violence
Chicago Tribune Opinion
Plain and simple, we’re playing an incredible game of catch-up, doing our best to undo decades of the gun lobby’s influence in our state. Our work has shown that change is possible — and it’s happening — but we must remain consistent with our strategies and tactics to continue to win.
Esther Franco-Payne and Gillian Darlow: It’s time to bring community violence intervention to scale in Chicago
The existing reach of violence intervention in Chicago is far from sufficient, though; it serves only about 15% to 20% of individuals at highest risk of shooting someone or being shot. An analysis from CRED conducted by a leading consulting firm indicates that meaningful citywide impact requires engagement with at least 75% of these individuals.
John Schmidt: The new police superintendent must connect with Chicago communities to do the job
The new superintendent will need to be a vocal advocate for the proactive, day-in-and-day-out community engagement by police in every district that builds trust and reduces crime. One strength in Chicago today is the network of private violence prevention groups; those efforts work best when they operate seamlessly with local police.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.