65 killed in Chicago shootings in July 2016, more than 22 percent above the 53 killings occurred in July 2015
Crime numbers released by Chicago police Monday show murders in July are down from the previous month. (WLS)
By Diane Pathieu
Updated 22 mins ago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- New crime numbers released by the Chicago Police Department Monday show a decline in murders during July from the previous month.
According to police, 65 people were killed and another 362 wounded in shootings during the month of July. During the month of June, 72 people were killed in shootings in Chicago.
Murders are up 22.6 percent from July 2015, when 53 people were murdered. So far this year, 381 people have been killed and 2394 people shot.
Police have taken down more than 120 gang members and seized 5,000 guns so far this year, the department said.
Superintendent Eddie Johnson discussed the crime numbers and the gun seizures at a news conference Monday morning. Johnson reiterated his support for legislation sponsored by State Senator Kwame Raoul to keep repeat gun offenders off the streets.
"Until we hold repeat offenders accountable, we're going to continue to see this violence," Johnson said
Johnson said most of the violence is coming from two or three police districts and that nearly 85 percent of the shooting victims are on the department's Strategic Subjects List, comprised of people who have had prior contact with law enforcement.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks at a news conference on Chicago crime numbers and gun seizures.
The Fraternal Order of Police is recommending officers not volunteer for overtime during the Labor Day weekend, a historically violent time, due to lack of respect for police. Local church groups are calling for a "peace surge" on the streets of Chicago. Religious leaders say they will take matters into their own hands if they have to come together to monitor 10 high-crime neighborhoods themselves and combat violence.
Meanwhile, William Calloway, one of the activists behind the release of the Laquan McDonald police shooting video demanded the release of the Paul O'Neal footage.
"In order to restore trust between community and this police department, they have to be held to the same standard as civilians," said Calloway. "If not, we will never see the trust that we are fighting for."
The 18-year-old was shot in the back and killed by police. Three Chicago police officers involved in the shooting have been relieved of their police powers.
CPD says they are trying ways to communicate better, releasing police videos within 60 days and even launching a new unit called the Bureau of Organizational Development, responsible for working on making officers more accountable.