Police: Chicago Reports 415 Murders In 2013, Lowest Since 1965

CHICAGO (STMW) -- Chicago saw "historic" crime lows in 2013, including the fewest murders in 48 years, according to police.

The city tallied 415 murders in 2013—88 fewer than 2012, according to data from police spokesman Adam Collins.

Police also reported 738 fewer shooting victims in 2013 compared to 2012, according to the police data. In 2013, 1,864 people were shot, compared to 2,448 the year before.

Overall crime dipped 16 percent from incidents reported in 2012, according to police data.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, 446 homicides took place in Chicago in 2013, not including one man who police say was shot to death Tuesday night in Englewood. His death hasn't officially been ruled a homicide pending an autopsy Wednesday.

The medical examiner's office total is greater than the police figure because it includes people shot and killed by police officers, motor vehicle crashes ruled homicides, killings in city limits investigated by Illinois State Police and homicides ruled justified by police.

With those deaths included, homicides are down about 14 percent from 2012, when the medical examiner's office reported 521 homicides, according to Homicide Watch Chicago.

A national spotlight was shed on the city last year when its murder tally surpassed 2011, which the release says was the lowest year for crime and violence "in decades."

Among its strategies to reduce overall crime, the department has put more officers on the streets this year and is partnering with community members, police Supt. Garry McCarthy said in the release.

But he said the new numbers don't mean the job is done.

"While we are experiencing historic lows for crime and violence in Chicago, one victim is one too many and we know there's more work to be done," McCarthy said in the release.