Chicago Crime: Local Officials Celebrate One Year of Safer Chicago Initiative to Reduce Community Violence

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tuesday marks a year since the beginning of a program designed to cut down on violence in Chicago.

The program is called Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a safer Chicago or SC2.

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Tuesday, local leaders and advocates mark the one-year anniversary of the effort they say so far has been a success.

The ambitious program targets several south and west side communities – where people are most at risk to experience gun violence.

Backed by a $400-million collaboration between public and private sectors, efforts are underway by community violence intervention groups to reduce gun violence.

An analysis by the ABC7 data team, using figures from the Chicago Police Department, reveals that in the past year, there have been 2,225 shooting victims. This number signifies a decrease of nearly 28 percent compared to the average over the previous three years.

Deadly shootings are down 25-percent in the last 12-months and non-fatal shooting are down more than 28-percent.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the initiative is working.

“It’s about combining policing with affordable housing, alongside mental and behavioral health services,” stated Mayor Johnson. “This summer, 29,000 young people will have jobs, marking a 45 percent increase. It’s about collaborating with all levels of government, including the state and Cook County, taking a comprehensive approach that has been long overdue.”

Later Tuesday, it’s expected that elected officials along with anti-violence advocates and community supporters will gather to talk about declines in gun violence in the city and next steps for the program.

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