Last month was one of the least deadly Julys in decades.
Chicago’s murder total for July was the third-lowest since 1987 — a major turnabout from the first three months of the year when homicides skyrocketed, police officials said Wednesday.
Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said his strategies are beginning to drive down shootings and slayings.
And the massive reduction in the numbers?
Forty-nine people were murdered in July, compared with 55 people in July 2011, according to the department.
McCarthy attributed the decline in murders in July to a comprehensive gang violence reduction strategy he launched this year.
“It’s taking hold,” he said.
Six. Six entire murders and the strategy is "taking hold." Never mind that six dead was about half a typical weekend in the early part of the year, and one bad week could wipe out that entire gain. One month of decreases out of the last ten does not make a trend.