Chicago murder numbers hold steady among teens, children age 19 and under

August 12, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Despite a steady drumbeat of violence in Chicago and several recent high profile cases of children being shot, police officials say the stats show murders are down 25-percent this year-- but not for one group in the city.

The ABC7 I-Team has been looking at the actual numbers behind the percentages.

The number of teenagers and children murdered in Chicago is holding steady so far this year according to crime statistics. While the Chicago Police Department doesn't break down data separately for 19 and under, but on Monday, the I-Team did.

So far this year, there have been 58 teenagers and children murdered in the city, most during gun violence. During the same time period last year the number was 59 killed; and there were also 59 young people killed through early August in 2011.

Law enforcement traditionally groups young murder victims as juveniles age16 and under. On Monday night, Chicago police say that statistic shows a 21 percent decline in murder by gun.

Police also say the number of juveniles, 16 and under, who have been shot is down so far this year by 42-percent.

The point is, crime statistics can be cut into various shapes and sizes and set in stone at different angles.

The same data set can show a sharp reduction in overall murders and show holding steady in the category of teenage murders, and both can be accurate.

A police spokesman Monday night tells the I-Team: despite the progress there's more work to be done and he says "no one will rest until everyone enjoys the same sense of safety."

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chicago police department, chicago violence, iteam, chuck goudie

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