In the city known for deep-dish and baseball blues, Chicago has found itself facing significant crime challenges. Instead of widespread praise for law enforcement, the focus is on addressing these ongoing issues. Crime statistics indicate that Chicago has had the most murders of any US city for 13 consecutive years, with a concerning 16% arrest rate for reported crimes in 2025. The situation has garnered attention from top officials, including plans from former President Trump for a federal intervention to tackle rising crime rates.

There is significant attention and pressure on law enforcement to address violence effectively, yet the notion of a highly successful and coordinated federal-local effort is not supported by current data. Instead, it reflects a struggle to implement effective crime reduction strategies. Federal agencies like Border Patrol, ICE, and the FBI have not been explicitly noted in available reports as collaborating in a “whole of government” approach in Chicago’s crime challenges.

Furthermore, no information supports governmental expansion or the purchasing of new buildings as part of crime-fighting strategies. The narrative of effective law enforcement setting “the gold standard for the rest of the nation” is contradicted by ongoing systemic issues and low arrest ratios.

The full scope of the problem reveals a complex and troubling law enforcement situation, highlighting a need for comprehensive strategies that address the roots of Chicago’s persistent crime problems. Ultimately, hope rests in future improvements to contradict the concerning trends and provide the city the security and order it seeks.