CHICAGO — Crime is near historic lows throughout the nation, but if not for Chicago and a handful of other cities, the crime rate would be much lower, a recent study found.
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University analyzed data from the nation's 30 largest cities.
While the study finds that "nationally, crime remains at an all-time low" recent decreases overall are offset by increases in violence in Chicago.
Between 2014 to 2016, the national murder rate is expected to increase by 31.5 percent. Half of the additional murders will be attributable to Chicago, Houston and Baltimore. There have been 524 people murdered so far in Chicago in 2016, according to a DNAinfo database. Last year, there were 494 murders total and the year before just 427.
"Crime rose significantly in Chicago this year and last. No other large city is expected to see a comparable increase in violence," the study says. "The causes are still unclear, but some theories include higher concentrations of poverty, increased gang activity, and fewer police officers."
The study suggests some factors that might be contributing to Chicago's recent spike is the impact of people on the "Strategic Subject List" and lack of detectives.
Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson is slated to give a "major policy address" Wednesday, announcing the hiring of 970 new police personnel.
The Brennan Center's analysis finds that nationally, overall crime is expected to rise by 1.3 percent this year over 2015, with violent crime rising by 5.5 percent. In Chicago, those numbers are expected to rise 9.1 percent and 16 percent respectively.
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