November was another bloody month in Chicago, ending with more than twice as many homicides as during the same month last year. The 77 homicides recorded in November 2016 mark the highest death toll for that month in nearly a quarter century.
The increase comes as the city and police department scramble to bring the number of killings down with initiatives targeting high crime areas and a plan to add 970 new police positions.
Chicago has recorded 701 homicides in 2016, so with a month still to go before the end of the year, the city has eclipsed the 700 mark for an entire year for the first time since 1998. The city recorded 38 homicides in November 2015 and 481 for the whole year.
