The Block Club Chicago Podcast

As Crime Rates Fall, Domestic Homicides Are Surging In Chicago. Why?

Episode Summary

While homicide totals and most other violent crime figures dropped in Chicago last year, homicides that resulted from domestic violence increased by 15 percent, according to the city’s violence reduction dashboard. Advocates say the surge in violent abuse is due to “a tornado of risk factors,” including longstanding issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, such as unstable employment, food insecurity and homelessness.

Episode Notes

While homicide totals and most other violent crime figures dropped in Chicago last year, homicides that resulted from domestic violence increased by 15 percent, according to the city’s violence reduction dashboard.

Advocates say the surge in violent abuse is due to “a tornado of risk factors,” including longstanding issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, such as unstable employment, food insecurity and homelessness. 

Host - Jon Hansen

Reporter - Mina Bloom