That’s right, folks, Chicago Police Department (CPD) reported lower crime statistics that can make all the city’s citizens proud. Although 2008 ended with an upswing of violent crime, data from the first six months of this year indicate that homicides dropped by 13.1 percent.

Based on data released by Chicago Police, the first half of this year revealed 199 homicides versus the 229 for the same time period last year. Last year’s statistics indicated higher violent crime, but with fewer arrests.

Motor vehicle theft hit a home run with a decline by 23.2 percent. Overall crime rates dropped by 10.4 percent, and decreased or remained constant in all the 25 CPD districts, except for one. Violent and property crime declined in every category in every district. In general, violent crime diminished by 4.4 percent.

Police Superintendent Jody Weis attributed the reduction in crime to more strategic police efforts. Weis cited the use of improved intelligence and positioning police where they are most needed. He noted new initiatives intended to reduce summer crime, including the use of more offices on the streets, a special team created to address gang violence in known hot spots, increased curfew enforcement and conducting compliance checks on parolees.

Weis said that CPD has redeployed 150 patrol officers and intends to add more. Due to CPD efforts, 4,031 guns have been confiscated by police, so far. That’s over 22 guns per day. Wow, that news should make you stand up and take notice.

One note to the wise (no pun intended) – Weis noted that several women were attacked at night in June of this year. He strongly encouraged women to carry cell phones, travel in numbers, avoid poorly or non-lighted areas and to always be on alert in their surroundings.

Chicago citizens should be very proud of their men in blue, indeed.