July violence pushes Chicago’s 2017 homicide total past 400

CHICAGO – July was another dangerous month in Chicago, with 74 homicides reported.

Police say that drove the total for the year past the 400 mark and put the city on pace to eclipse last year’s total.

The Chicago Police Department says there have been 402 homicides — 10 more than during the same period last year. If the pace holds, 2017 will end with more than the 762 homicides that last year marked highest yearly total in two decades.

But the department says the number of shooting victims and shooting incidents for the year is more than 11 per cent lower than during the same period last year. The department says the drop comes as it has expanded its use of high tech crime equipment and other measures.