Deadliest January in Chicago Since 2000

Police reported 51 murders so far this year, a jump from 29 last January.

January brought a bloody start to 2016 as Chicago's streets saw more violence than they have in 15 years.

The city had 51 murders last month, a massive jump from the 29 reported in January 2015. There were 292 shooting victims in 242 separate shootings from Jan. 1 to 31, up from 136 victims in 119 shootings during the same time last year.

CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielm called the rise in violence “unacceptable," citing gang conflicts for most of the shootings.

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“The vast majority of incidents originated from petty disagreements that escalated into gun violence that tore apart families,” Guglielmi said in a statement. “We will continue to work tirelessly on ways to stop violence, and restore accountability and trust in communities throughout the city."

More than 350 officers and 31 sergeants have been moved from foot patrols into squad cars to “increase their visibility,” according to Guglielmi, and that narcotics units have raided many “problematic” areas within the city.

CPD also partnered with more Cook County Sheriff's officers, decentralized gang and enforcement units and closed many “businesses that pose a public safety threat."

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