Gunfire incidents in Elgin are down approximately 13% from the same period last year (January 1 – June 1), but well under a third of such incidents are cleared (solved) by investigators.
Elgin set a record last year with 66 gunfire incidents in total. That broke the previous record, set in 2016, of 64.
During the first 5 months of this year, Elgin experienced 27 gunfire incidents, compared to 31 in 2001. Of those 27 incidents, 3 (11%) have been cleared by investigators while 14 remain under investigation. 10 are classified as unsolved.
In 2001, the clearance rate was 25%, with 75% of such incidents remain unsolved.
So far in 2022, 12 people have been arrested related to gunfire incidents (indicating multiple arrests per incident, given that only 3 cases have been cleared to date). That compares to 7 in 2021.
Arrests on firearm charges (where a gunfire incident isn’t necessarily involved) have risen considerably from last year, with 22 individuals being arrest compared to 16 in 2001.
The 13% decrease in gunfire incidents this year is obviously good news. However, criminologists point out that violent crime – including gun crime – increases significantly in the warmer months of the year. As the summer heats up, the numbers above could change very quickly.
Statistical information is provided at the EPD transparency site located here: cityofelgin.org/shotsfiredinfo.
