CPD Hoping Gun Seizures Will Cut Violent Crime
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago police have seized an average of nearly one gun an hour this year, and the department believes that push could help reduce the city's violent crime rate.
Last month, there were 63 murders in Chicago, and a total of 441 people were shot, according to police. That's a drop from June, when there were 72 murders, but an increase from July 2015, when there were 55 murders.
Police credit the curb in violence to their work with federal law enforcement officials to prosecute gang members.
In one particular raid last month, officers arrested 88 gang suspects.
Through the end of July, police have seized more than 5,000 guns, a 25 percent increase over the same time period from 2015.
Monday morning, Police Supt. Eddie Johnson will discuss seizing illegal guns and his efforts to bring forth new legislation to hold repeat gun offenders accountable for their actions.