Is crime dropping due to the coronavirus?

[vito]

I get a daily email from Crimemapping.com and it seems that criminal activity, at least in the two mile circle for which I get reports, has slowed down somewhat during this virus crisis. Or maybe the police are just not responding to calls as much so the number of documented crimes the appears to be down. Maybe criminals have heard about all the new gun owners and are more leery of attacking innocent people, but I really doubt that this is the case. I think its possible that with more people just staying home, criminals are having less opportunity to prey upon people outdoors and might be less likely to try a break in of a home, knowing that the occupants are likely there during the day as well as the night. But I would also expect business burglaries to increase as more of these are closed and empty right now. Personally, I am no more but no less vigilant than ever, but I have changed my behavior in one way. I rarely used to carry a firearm with me while in my home, but now I do so as soon as I get dressed in the morning. It might just be a 5 round revolver, but something will be in my pocket almost all of the time.

[mchenryill]

Talked to a couple LEO's and they say it's really quite. Except at the grocery stores.

[custodian7138]

Yesterday, I watched 3 local PD "make contact" with what appeared to be an agitated pirate on the street in the downtown area... while attempting to keep a 6 foot buffer from him...

[GTX63]

Depends on whether it is now a crime to be on the outside of your front door.

[RECarry]

.

[Lou]

March to Date
Shot & Killed: 19
Shot & Wounded: 110
Total Shot: 129
Total Homicides: 21

 

 

Year to Date
Shot & Killed: 84
Shot & Wounded: 382
Total Shot: 466
Total Homicides: 96

[borgranta]

I get a daily email from Crimemapping.com and it seems that criminal activity, at least in the two mile circle for which I get reports, has slowed down somewhat during this virus crisis. Or maybe the police are just not responding to calls as much so the number of documented crimes the appears to be down. Maybe criminals have heard about all the new gun owners and are more leery of attacking innocent people, but I really doubt that this is the case. I think its possible that with more people just staying home, criminals are having less opportunity to prey upon people outdoors and might be less likely to try a break in of a home, knowing that the occupants are likely there during the day as well as the night. But I would also expect business burglaries to increase as more of these are closed and empty right now. Personally, I am no more but no less vigilant than ever, but I have changed my behavior in one way. I rarely used to carry a firearm with me while in my home, but now I do so as soon as I get dressed in the morning. It might just be a 5 round revolver, but something will be in my pocket almost all of the time.

Perhaps criminals are afraid of the virus as well.

[spu69]

The crime stats may be down but is that because the crimes are not occurring Or because the cops are all staying in their cars and not making statistics.

 

 

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[GTX63]

If you are an LEO, do you really want to deal with marginal speeders, and day to day interactions with everyone; some who may be sick? Or would they maybe just limit it to the violent and extreme law breakers? Just thinking out loud.

[Xwing]

Well, Kimmy Foxx had decided to not prosecute any drug crimes, so I'm sure the crime rate is way down in Cook County. The crimes I'm sure are way up, but the police aren't likely to bother arresting and booking someone they know won't get prosecuted...

[mrmagloo]

True story - I pulled out my old scanner over the weekend to let it run in the background. Too bad it seems alot of PD in southern Lake County have all gone encrypted, but some EMS and certainly most of Chicago is still analog. Anyway, I've got all of the districts in Chicago on one bank and it's just amazing the kinds of calls these guys get. Last night, one guy standing in front of a store with a box of tissues trying to block entrance unless you buy a sheet for a $1 to protect yourself. Almost a never ending stream of family disturbances, drunks, etc. It's like these guys are babysitting a bunch of grown children. Pretty sad.

 

So I'm listening and a call goes out that a liquor store on Belmont gets robbed. The officer asks for descriptions, etc, and what was taken. The dispatch said it was one black male, and no info on what was taken. The officer enroute says, are you sure it wasn't Corona? Well the dispatcher gave a little chuckle, but it's nice to see these guys still trying to keep things light. Not doubt that's probably the 100th time someone has said this, but still.

[Jeffrey]

Driving home from work yesterday I noticed the "normal" pace was about 10mph more than usual. Traffic obviously being much less but also seems like less traffic from squads. Over the weekend my Ring doorbell had a total of only 3 passerby's 2 of which were squads the other a neighbor. I'm happy they are cruising the neighborhood what seems like more often than usual. Desperate times, desperate measures and all that.

[Yas]

Officers being human, I think are going to avoid any unnecessary contacts if possible. I suspect there will be less traffic stops unless ones doing something extremely boneheaded. That will lead to less criminal activity discovery thru a pull over. Courts are slowing and shutting down so theres going to be less willingness to charge and prosecute.

 

But more inmates being released early or the ones let out due to lack of bail funds with be forced into more person on person or property crime eventually, simply thru the need for sustaining some goods or cash flow.

[Jeffrey]

Officers being human, I think are going to avoid any unnecessary contacts if possible. I suspect there will be less traffic stops unless ones doing something extremely boneheaded. That will lead to less criminal activity discovery thru a pull over. Courts are slowing and shutting down so theres going to be less willingness to charge and prosecute.

 

But more inmates being released early or the ones let out due to lack of bail funds with be forced into more person on person or property crime eventually, simply thru the need for sustaining some goods or cash flow.

Every day we get closer to a democrat dream.

[WitchDoctor]

 

March to Date

Shot & Killed: 19

Shot & Wounded: 110

Total Shot: 129

Total Homicides: 21

 

 

Year to Date

Shot & Killed: 84

Shot & Wounded: 382

Total Shot: 466

Total Homicides: 96

 

Looks like no to me...

[Odinson]

The west side of Chicago (at least on Jackson from Oakley west to the western suburbs) was super quiet last night around 5pm. There's usually a bunch of shenanigating around that time and there were zero people out. The Prairie Path (once I got past Maywood) was packed with people walking, family bike trips - way more than I usually see there.

[vito]

Chicago Tribune is not featuring stories about shootings, but I don't know if that because there are fewer shootings, or there's no interest in stories about anything other than the coronavirus. Here in Rockford the daily Crimemapping.com email is showing far fewer, and less serious crimes than usual.

[Odinson]

The west side of Chicago (at least on Jackson from Oakley west to the western suburbs) was super quiet last night around 5pm. There's usually a bunch of shenanigating around that time and there were zero people out. The Prairie Path (once I got past Maywood) was packed with people walking, family bike trips - way more than I usually see there.

 

Updating myself. Either the warm weather yesterday, done with this whole shelter in place thing already, or a combination of both brought the West Side alive for my 5pm bike commute. I even got yelled at and (I think) threatened. I 'think' I was threatened because I did not slow down for clarification. We'll see if he's waiting for me today although I may switch my route up a bit. So in other words, back to normal.

 

IL Prairie Path was insane. So much foot and bike traffic I had to reduce my already fairly slow speed. People seemed to be keeping their distances at least.

[jim123]

Noticed at the store today that all third world types were wearing masks that didn't matter and every one else didn't have a mask. Got dirty looks from the mask wearers and a look and a grin from the others. Someone knows something. MAMA? Make America Mayberry Again?

[ChicagoRonin70]

It's a widely known fact that Corona causes violence.

 

It's even a marketing point.

 

[Kingcreek]

I had a casual conversation with a state police investigator yesterday. He said things are pretty quiet right now in personal and violent crimes. Possible uptick in child porn and exploitation.

[DarkLord]

I had a casual conversation with a state police investigator yesterday. He said things are pretty quiet right now in personal and violent crimes. Possible uptick in child porn and exploitation.

quiet before the storm.. My neighbor was telling me that few people have been robbed for their groceries while loading their car, I was told it happen in Aurora and was on the early AM news. But I can't find anything on the web about it... anyone else see this on the news.

[Caryboy60013]

it doesnt seem quiter in chicago, a friend of mine is a tac officer downtown and he said it is about the same.

[vito]

The Trib is saying crime has dropped in Chicago. Local TV media has said it has dropped here in Rockford. One thing for sure, the presence of police seems to have dropped as well. I was out riding my motorcycle yesterday, did about 120 miles in two and a half hours, and did not see a single police cruiser anywhere. And regardless, I still feel safer with a gun in my pocket when I take the dog out front, or even walk to the mailbox even though I live in what is considered a very safe area.

[RECarry]

A friend in Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago heard eight gunshots the other night - with one bullet striking his neighbors window. Gang wars or boredom?

[Lou]

I’m skeptical about the reports of lower crime stats.

Most LEOs that I know of are laying low and avoiding arrests, especially ones where physical contact is necessary.

No arrest, not paperwork, no crime stats.

[WitchDoctor]

My friends in the eleventh district say no. TAC teams busy as usual.

[geo.ulrich]

And here outside St. Louis the news just announced there were no stabings, cuttings,shootings or robbery's reported last nite in the city...

[Odinson]

With the warm weather, lots of people out on the West Side of Chicago yesterday around 4:30PM. Most people sitting on their porches keeping distance but there were a few basketball games going on. Almost seemed normal except for the masks (50%?).

 

Only crime I saw (around 3PM) was the 20 people on motorcycles screaming onto the 290 Eastbound at Oakley. Popping wheelies, flipping off the 3 CPD SUVs following them. Strange fun but what do I know.

[Jeffrey]

With the warm weather, lots of people out on the West Side of Chicago yesterday around 4:30PM. Most people sitting on their porches keeping distance but there were a few basketball games going on. Almost seemed normal except for the masks (50%?).

 

Only crime I saw (around 3PM) was the 20 people on motorcycles screaming onto the 290 Eastbound at Oakley. Popping wheelies, flipping off the 3 CPD SUVs following them. Strange fun but what do I know.

Those darned Outlaws and their noisy Harley's.