With homicides and shootings on the rise, Chicago’s master manipulator of crime statistics should be jettisoned, Crain’s Chicago Business says in a new editorial.
McCarthy has had four years. It’s time to turn to someone else.
“McCarthy” is Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, who oversaw the decimation of manpower in our police district, then made it increasingly difficult for citizens to file crime reports by requiring them to wait on hold to file reports telephonically.
Just last week, the Tribune reported that shootings in Chicago are pacing way ahead of 2014—up 22% through May. Murders are up 18%.
…through the end of May, fewer than 1,000 people had been shot in the larger cities of New York and Los Angeles combined. By early [last] Monday… about 1,050 people had been shot in Chicago since the year began….
Yet, within hours of the Trib story, McCarthy again insisted that the opposite is true:
There are a lot less shootings than there were last year, I’m not sure if you’re aware of that.
No, we weren’t aware of that. Largely because it’s not true. You’re lying, Garry. Still.