This is just absurd.
Chicago police beefed up patrols for Memorial Day as more than 60 people were shot during the violent three-day holiday weekend.
By Monday evening, at least 62 people had been shot across the city since Friday afternoon, including six who were killed. This surpasses the number of people shot during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, though Chicago Police News Affairs said murders are down 50 percent compared to last Memorial Day.
Among the youngest shooting victims, a 15-year-old girl was fatally shot while riding in a car with a documented gang member on Lake Shore Drive.
First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante said the department’s plan for Monday was to increase patrols in designated areas, including along Lake Shore Drive.
“As we’ve said before, it’s about 1,500 people that are driving the violence,” Escalente said. “Those are the people we’re trying to concentrate on.”
Chicago has been pulled into headlines nationwide this weekend as police struggle to curtail the city’s growing reputation for violence. Escalante said he is confident the department can get things under control, but others are skeptical.
