Chicago's Safety Image Struggles Amid Homicide Drop to 60-Year Low

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A Year of Declining Violence, But Not Necessarily a Safer Perception

Chicago ended 2025 with the lowest number of homicides in 60 years, according to preliminary data from the Chicago Police Department. The city saw a significant drop in shootings, with numbers falling by more than a third. Despite these positive trends, the city continues to grapple with a persistent perception that it is not as safe as it actually is.

This disconnect between reality and public perception remains a challenge for city leaders as they navigate the new year. While violent crime across the board has decreased, many residents still feel uneasy about their safety. This gap between statistics and lived experience is a complex issue that requires ongoing attention.

A Survivor's Story

Gentry Hunt, a shooting survivor and volunteer basketball coach, shared his personal experience with the media. He handed out copies of a newspaper that featured his story after surviving a recent shooting. During a meeting with current and former players, Hunt discussed the incident for the first time since it occurred on Sunday night, when he was shot in the shoulder outside the St. Sabina gym during an argument he had no involvement in.

"I don't know how many more times in my life I'm gonna be on the front page of the paper," Hunt said. "I want to get more kids. I want to get more players in the gym."

Hunt’s mother, Singrid Jackson, hugged him after the meeting. She expressed her relief, saying, "This would be a different 2026, for me, had it gone any other way."

Statistical Improvement, but Not Enough

In many ways, 2025 marked a safer year for Chicago compared to the previous one. Preliminary figures indicate that there were 416 murders in the city in 2025, a 29% decrease from the year before. This is the lowest number of homicides since 1965.

However, Anthony Riccio, Director of Public Safety at Monterrey Security, pointed out that the perception of safety often differs from the actual data. "Even though the numbers look good, the perception of whether or not you actually feel safe is something completely different," Riccio said. "And a lot of times, those two things will never match up."

Riccio emphasized that while the statistics are encouraging, the feeling of safety is crucial. "We need to feel safe," he said. "The numbers are one thing, but it's how you feel when you walk out of your house or when you're driving down the street that's really important as well."

The Impact of Personal Experience

For Jackson, her son's shooting felt more real than the declining statistics. "I think we may have moments where it looks like it's getting better, but I honestly feel like we're trending in another direction," she said. "It's still a very strange feeling. And everywhere he goes, and everything he does, and every single day, I want to talk to him. I want to hear his voice."

Political Narratives and Public Perception

On Friday, an AI-generated social media post by President Donald Trump continued to promote the narrative that "Chicago crime is out of control," despite the evidence showing that murder, shootings, and violent crime were significantly down in 2025.

Laura Washington, a political analyst for ABC7, commented on this situation. "He has no credibility on that argument, but yet, people, at least his people, his base, believes it, and he wants them to continue to think that democratic cities are hell holes, and he's going to be continuing that theme," she said.

The Road Ahead

As police and city leaders work to maintain the downward trend in violent crime in 2026, they also face the challenge of improving public perception. Efforts must be made to ensure that residents feel safe, even if the statistics show progress.

Interactive tools, such as the Safety Tracker, allow residents to monitor crime and safety in their neighborhoods. These resources can help bridge the gap between data and personal experience, offering a clearer picture of what is happening in the city.

While the numbers are promising, the journey toward a truly safe and secure Chicago is ongoing. It requires not only statistical improvements but also a collective effort to change perceptions and build trust within the community.