2017
Gun Trace Report
Since 2013, the Chicago Police Department has recovered nearly 7,000 “crime guns” each year. For the purposes of this report, a crime gun refers to a firearm recovered by CPD that was illegally possessed, used, or suspected to be used in furtherance of a crime.
The overwhelming majority of these firearms were originally purchased outside of the city limits and brought into Chicago. So far in 2017, CPD is already on pace to exceed last year’s gun recoveries. It is self-evident that the availability of illegally circulated firearms in Chicago is directly connected to its deadly street violence. Simply put, each conflict becomes potentially more lethal due to easy access to a gun.
In an unfortunate but persistent reality, certain retailers and jurisdictions disproportionately account for the guns trafficked into Chicago that sustain its illegal gun market and associated violent crime.
IL Office of Firearm Violence Prevention
The University of Chicago Crime Lab has partnered with the Illinois Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) in support of the OFVP’s goal to use data to focus resources. The Crime Lab prepared the following interactive map to support the RPSA Youth Development Services grantmaking process.
United States Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence in America
United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a landmark advisory declaring firearm violence in America to be a public health crisis with devastating and far-reaching consequences for the nation’s health and well-being.
Summer Safety Analysis: Chicago Crime Trends
These data visualizations present our summer safety analysis on Chicago crime trends.
2024 End-of-Year Analysis: Chicago Crime Trends
Gun violence remains one of the most pressing challenges in America but there are signs of progress.
Latest Updates
CPD chief graduates Crime Lab academy
The Hamilton County Herald covers Chattanooga Police Department Chief John Chambers’ graduation from the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Policing Leadership Academy (PLA), an education program dedicated to reducing violent crime and improving police effectiveness.
Canceled by Tarrant County, this advocacy program remakes itself to still help at-risk kids
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram cites a policy brief from the Crime Lab which shows that two years after going through Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) programming, youth are 39 percent less likely to have been arrested for a violent crime than youth who did not go through the program.
Strides for Peace Expo Inspires Chicago to Unite Against Gun Violence
Strides for Peace executive director Joel Hamernick cited Crime Lab research during the Second Annual Strides for Peace Gun Violence Prevention Expo showing that students who transfer schools twice during high school are 80% more likely to become involved in gun violence.
