Murder Rate Continues to Drop

Article from the Chicago Tribune: The number of homicides in January marked the city's lowest murder count for a single month in 38 years, Chicago police said Friday. There were 21 people killed in the first month of this year, down 27.6 percent from last year and down 44 percent from the same month two years ago. One of the more striking statistics in January was that there were no homicides on the West Side, historically one of Chicago's most violent areas. The reduction in homicides in 2005 comes on the heels of the city's success last year lowering the murder count by 25 percent. "We're pleased that the progress has continued," said police spokesman David Bayless. Through Friday, there have been 35 homicides across the city, compared with 44 at this time last year. Crime in the month of January was down in almost all categories, police said. Criminal sexual assault was down 26.2 percent, theft was down 17.2 percent and aggravated assault was down 17.7 percent. Two areas--aggravated battery and burglary--showed little change. "Coming off a very successful 2004, the superintendent was warning everyone not to become complacent with our progress, that there still is much work to be done in a lot of communities in Chicago, and we're by no means where we need to be as a city," said police spokesman David Bayless>