Cops: Chicago violent crime down 11 percent so far
Chicago police say violent crime is down 11 percent this year, though the homicide rate is up 8 percent.
Police say aggravated assault and battery, criminal sexual assault and robbery all had double-digit decreases in April.
They say Chicago has seen a 6.9 percent reduction in crime overall in 2010.
Property crimes, including burglary, theft and arson, have also decreased, but motor vehicle theft was up almost 14 percent.
As of Saturday, the city had 127 homicides, three more than this time last year. That number is still below the five-year average for the same period from 2005-2009.
Superintendent Jody Weis says police have been helped by surveillance cameras and the Text2tip program that allows people to submit information anonymously.
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