A Chicago neighborhood’s struggles with high crime rates.
Here are some Chicago neighborhoods tourists should be avoiding as much as possible. (Photo: Choose Chicago)
How Dangerous A Chicago Neighborhood Can Be
A Chicago neighborhood has a reputation for being busy, but unfortunately, they also have a significantly higher crime rate compared to the national average.
According to a published article by the Southwest Journal, the usual crime rate in a Chicago neighborhood is 67% higher, with both violent and property crimes being a major concern.
West Garfield Park is a Chicago neighborhood that stands out as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods, experiencing crime rates that are 379% higher than the rest of the city. The likelihood of becoming a victim in this Chicago neighborhood is 1 in 20.
Gang activity is a significant contributor to the violence in a Chicago neighborhood, particularly in Washington Park, another dangerous Chicago neighborhood, where violent crime is 701% higher than the national average.
Austin is another unsafe Chicago neighborhood, ranking 11th in violent crime and 25th in property crime. Gun violence and gang activity are very prevalent in this specific Chicago neighborhood.
Englewood, another Chicago neighborhood, has a violence-related crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 people and a property-related crime rate of 5,984 per 100,000 people.
These challenges usually experienced by a Chicago neighborhood are exacerbated by the high poverty rate in these areas, which is often linked to increased crime rates.
A Report Of Misconduct
In a published article by Axios, the Chicago Public Schools Inspector General released a report detailing misconduct in the district, including an accusation that one family lied about their address to gain an advantage in the selective enrollment system.
The allegation highlights a highly competitive culture that the new school board aims to address over the next five years. The board recently approved a resolution prioritizing neighborhood schools over selective and charter schools.
The move follows Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign promise to change the school choice system. The Chicago Teachers Union supports the resolution, while former CPS CEO Janice Jackson opposes it.
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