Chicago Homicide Rates Falling?

Homicide rates have fallen across the country over the last 20 years but in Chicago, in 2012, there was an increase of homicides by 16%. Chicago historically has been known as a place of high crime. It has become so common, with an estimated 5 deaths a day, that local Chicagoans have become desensitized to hearing it on the news. According to the Washington Post, crimes have been drastically falling so far this year. “February saw a huge drop, with only 14 homicides reported, the lowest monthly total since 1957”. The Chicago Police Department credits this drop to their “saturation policing”, in which police units are more focused on high-crime zones. Up to 200 officers have been sent on overtime patrol in these zones. This “saturation policing”, or as criminologists call it “hot spot policing”, is a method still in effect in Chicago’s police department. However, most nationwide police departments use a method called “problem-based” policing, in which there are focuses on specific criminal activity (I.e. Drug dealing, gang violence, etc.) and try to incorporate government services in the process. The question is whether or not ‘police zoning’ is an effective tactic? I think it might be an effective solution to crime rates. Preventing crime in high-crime areas is important because of the higher volume of illegal activities. However, it is important to also police low-crime areas because crime can occur anywhere.