The Chicago City Council faced criticism on social media after approving a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza while the city continues to grapple with soaring crime rates. The measure passed by a narrow margin of 24-23, with Mayor Brandon Johnson breaking the tie. Johnson later received backlash for acknowledging a deadly shooting in the city in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
In his post, Mayor Johnson expressed his grief over the violence and emphasized the need to value human life, work towards safety, and heal the scars of the community. However, many X users responded by urging the mayor to prioritize addressing crime within the city rather than focusing on what they deemed a “nonsensical ceasefire overseas.”
Critics accused the city council of wasting time and resources on international matters while Chicagoans are dying in the streets. They called for a ceasefire in the city itself, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Earlier on the same day, a shooting near a high school in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood claimed the life of one teenager and left two others wounded. The victims were targeted by individuals who pulled up in a vehicle and opened fire. This incident came just five days after two teenage boys were fatally shot in broad daylight in the Loop.
According to crime data released by the Chicago Police Department, there were 37 shooting reports between January 22 and January 28, slightly higher than the 35 reported during the same period last year. Additionally, seven murders were reported during the same week, which showed a slight decrease compared to previous years.
While certain crime categories have shown a drop compared to the previous year, most categories have seen an increase when compared to 2022, 2021, and 2020. Overall crime complaints, including murder, robbery, burglary, and theft, are significantly higher than in previous years.
Despite the recent uptick, shooting incidents have generally improved over the past four years. However, the current increase in shootings highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in Chicago.
The city council’s decision to prioritize an international cease-fire resolution has sparked debate and drawn attention to the pressing issue of crime in Chicago. As the city continues to grapple with rising crime rates, finding effective solutions to ensure the safety of its residents remains a critical concern.
