Chicago’s Troubling Trend: Dismal Arrest Rates in Non-Fatal Shootings Fuel Justice Concerns
A comprehensive investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times has shed light on a deeply concerning reality within the Windy City: a remarkably low arrest rate in non-fatal shootings, raising serious questions about justice, law enforcement effectiveness, and the potential for unchecked violence. The investigation reveals that over the past seven years, Chicago authorities have made arrests in a mere 6% of the approximately 19,000 non-fatal shooting incidents. This translates to only 1,200 arrests made in connection with shootings since 2018, a figure that has ignited public outrage and sparked intense scrutiny of the city’s crime-fighting strategies.
The Sun-Times’ deep dive further exposes significant disparities in arrest rates across different neighborhoods within Chicago. Communities on the South Side appear to be disproportionately affected, with Pullman and Burnside recording a staggering zero arrests for 64 and 38 shootings, respectively. The situation is hardly better in other areas, such as Ashburn on the West Side, where only five arrests were made out of 93 reported incidents. Similarly, Roseland saw only 35 arrests made out of a staggering 584 recorded shootings.
In stark contrast, the neighborhoods of O’Hare and Edison Park, located on the North Side, recorded zero total shootings during the investigated period. The locales with the highest arrest rates were Norwood Park on the North Side, with 29%, and Beverly on the South Side, with 33%. The Loop, Chicago’s downtown area, saw a 16% arrest rate for its 85 cases.
The report’s findings have resonated deeply with victims of gun violence, who feel abandoned by the justice system. Tom Wagner, a rideshare driver who was carjacked and shot in 2021, remains without any arrests made in his case. Wagner expressed his frustration, stating, "I get that they’re understaffed, but at the same time, where’s my justice?" He revealed that he contacted the police repeatedly over a 10-month period, only to be informed in February that his investigation was being dropped.
Crime experts who spoke to the Sun-Times suggest that the lack of arrests may be exacerbating chronic violence in Chicago, as criminals face little deterrent against engaging in lawless behavior. The paper’s study also found that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has a smaller proportion of officers working as detectives compared to other major cities, with Philadelphia being the only exception. This disparity in detective staffing could be a contributing factor to the low arrest rates.
The Sun-Times’ report has ignited a political firestorm, with critics demanding answers and accountability from city officials. Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Brandon Johnson for comment, but received no response. Last year, Johnson publicly blamed his predecessors, including former Mayors Lori Lightfoot, Rahm Emanuel, and Richard M. Daley, for the city’s financial woes and the resulting chaos.
Johnson’s critics have seized on the report’s findings as evidence of his administration’s failure to address the city’s crime problem. Republican Representative Darin LaHood cited Johnson’s reported low approval rate and accused him of allowing the city to deteriorate crime-wise. Johnson, in turn, has called on LaHood to support continued investment in programs aimed at reducing violence in Chicago.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, often mentioned as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, has also been drawn into the debate over Chicago’s crime epidemic. Pritzker previously rejected the notion that Chicago has the worst violence in the country, claiming that Republican-led states actually have higher violent crime and murder rates.
The lack of a response from the Chicago Police Department regarding the Sun-Times’ report has further fueled public frustration. The silence from law enforcement officials has been interpreted by some as an admission of the problem’s severity and a lack of willingness to address it.
The Sun-Times’ investigation has exposed a deeply troubling trend in Chicago’s criminal justice system: a strikingly low arrest rate in non-fatal shootings that disproportionately affects certain neighborhoods and leaves victims feeling abandoned. The report has ignited a political debate over the root causes of the city’s crime problem and the effectiveness of current strategies. As Chicago grapples with this crisis, the pressure is mounting on city officials to take decisive action to improve arrest rates, ensure justice for victims, and restore public trust in law enforcement. The future of Chicago hinges on its ability to effectively address this persistent challenge.
