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ISP claims a 65 percent decrease in Chicago-area expressway shootings since 2021

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Illinois

* First, some background…

Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death.

But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than 400 cameras this year, it faces a lawsuit accusing ISP of operating “a system of dragnet surveillance” by using the cameras to monitor all traffic that passes them.

The fiscal year 2025 state budget that lawmakers approved last month includes $7 million in new funding for the technology as well as $2.5 million reappropriated from a previous year. […]

The libertarian legal group Liberty Justice Center contends the constant nature of that surveillance violates the rights of two Cook County residents named as plaintiffs in their lawsuit filed May 30.

The lawsuit is here.

* ISP today…

For the third year, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting a decrease in the number of shootings on Chicago area expressways. At the midway mark for 2024, ISP is reporting a 36% decrease in the total number of Chicago area expressway shootings compared to this time last year. When compared to 2021, we’ve seen a 65% reduction in shootings. The number of non-fatal injury expressway shooting in the Chicago area is down 47% compared to this time in 2023.

“Year after year, we have seen a decrease in the number of Chicago area expressway shootings,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This year’s reduction, on top of the decreases we’ve seen over the last two years, shows our tactics to reduce violence on the expressway are having an effect. ISP will continue to dedicate the resources needed to help keep the public safe.” […]

After the number of expressway shootings reached an all-time high in 2021, ISP implemented a multifaceted approach to reducing expressway shooting, including increased patrols, the creation of Special Operation Groups focused on strategic violent crime reduction missions, the use of automated license plate readers, increased Air Operations, intensive investigations, and enhanced forensic services.

Part of stopping crime includes solving crime and ISP Division of Criminal Investigation special agents aggressively pursue all leads in expressway shootings. In one instance, special agents began an investigation following an expressway shooting stemming from a road rage incident in early June. Agents conducted numerous interviews and reviewed license plate reader photos, which led to the identification of the vehicle and possible suspects. During the investigation, agents obtained several search warrants, conducted surveillance, and collected evidence. Within two days of the shooting, the investigation resulted in one person being charged with two counts of attempted murder, and another being charged with Aggravated Fleeing to Elude and three counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. This is just one example of the extensive and thorough investigations ISP special agents conduct to get violent criminals off the expressways.

In its ongoing mission to reduce expressway shootings, ISP is faced with several challenges. Victims and witness increasingly are reporting road rage was involved in expressway shootings. ISP’s approach to reducing expressway violence will continue to evolve as we address new challenges and implement successful strategies.

* “ISP Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement (SAVE) Unit North and Troop 3 Chicago Patrol statistics for January 1–June 30″…

Arrests are way up.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 12:09 pm

Comments

This headline suggests you have doubts, but data does not lie. Looks like the investments are working. But that doesn’t get a much click bait as “claims.”

Comment by Observer Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 12:48 pm
===This headline suggests===

According to you. And I don’t measure clicks here. Ads are not sold based on page impressions. So bite me.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 12:54 pm
“Part of stopping crime includes solving crime”

Someone get this message to CPD, ASAP.

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 12:59 pm
arrests are way up. good.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 1:12 pm
More cops, more arrests, more technology, all adding to more safety.

Defund Liberty Justice Center. /s

Comment by Lurker Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 1:43 pm
Ethical and legal application of technology that is helping solving crimes. Note that the tech itself didn’t solve the crime, it still required investigation, interviews and surveillance. The ALPR data is certainly the force multiplier here. Good job ISP.

Comment by Occasionally Moderated Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 2:02 pm
What goes up often comes back down. It doesn’t mean police are also responsible for gravity.

I’d like to know a lot more about those arrests that quadrupled in the city.

Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 2:36 pm
A good start to help mitigate the “dragnet” issue and the consequences of the proliferation of ALPR hacking would be a requirement to shorten the data retention period. Or as The Electronic Frontier Foundation puts it, “Don’t collect what you can’t protect.” Iirc EFF has in the past recommended a 30-day limit, but my town does 60 days and many places retain for 90.

Comment by yinn Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 3:23 pm
Since there continues to be a high number of shootings overall in Chicago, it seems that the bad guys have learned to stay off the expressways.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Jul 8, 24 @ 3:26 pm