Chicago police solve only 6% of non-fatal shootings

A new report shows that Chicago police have solved only 6% of non-fatal shootings over the last seven years. This includes around 19,000 cases, with only 1,200 arrests made. The findings come from an investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times, which revealed troubling patterns in different neighborhoods. Many areas, particularly on the South Side, had very few arrests. For example, Pullman and Burnside had no arrests at all despite dozens of shootings. In comparison, Norwood Park on the North Side had a higher arrest rate of 29%. Crime victims are expressing frustration over the lack of justice. One man, Tom Wagner, who was shot during a carjacking, reported that police have not made any arrests in his case. He called police multiple times without any progress, only to learn that his investigation was being closed. Experts say the low arrest rate may be contributing to ongoing violence. Criminals may feel less fear of consequences, leading to more crime. The Chicago Police Department has fewer detectives than many other major cities, which may affect their ability to investigate effectively. Mayor Brandon Johnson has faced criticism over the issue. He has previously blamed past leaders for Chicago’s crime problems and claimed his administration needs time to make improvements. Johnson's approval rating has reportedly dropped to 6%, raising concerns among lawmakers about crime in the city. Neither the Chicago Police Department nor Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has responded to inquiries about the report. Pritzker has previously defended the city’s reputation by stating that crime rates in blue states are not necessarily worse than in red states.