Overview

Nationally, Chicago has one of the lowest arrest rates for violent crimes among the largest 50 US cities. Police make few arrests in neighborhoods with high homicides, shootings, and violent crime. A 2025 Chicago Sun Times report found an arrest is made in only 6% of shootings citywide. Neighborhoods of color with high amounts of violent crime have even lower arrest rates for shootings and homicides compared to the citywide average.

Violent and Gun Possession Arrests Trends

This chart shows arrests for violent incidents and gun possession in Chicago. In 2024, CPD made 2,788 more gun possession arrests than violent arrests or 2.2 gun possession arrests for every violent arrest. Before 2016, Chicago gun possession and violent arrests were at similar levels.

Arrest Trends by Neighborhood

In Chicago's most violent neighborhoods, the Chicago Police Department makes more gun possession arrests than arrests for violent crime.