https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/01/19/west-side-murder-surge-was-driven-by-social-media-old-conflicts-now-groups-are-working-to-chart-a-path-to-peace/?utm_source=Pico&utm_campaign=6600aee44f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_01_06_03_09_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b6b84a5cee-6600aee44f-124063403&mc_cid=6600aee44f&mc_eid=30fe6c2596
GARFIELD PARK — A West Side police district has seen more homicides and carjackings than any other during the two-year pandemic surge in violence — but area leaders say they are working to stop beefs before they erupt and chart a path to peace in the longterm.
The 11th Police District — which includes parts of Austin, Lawndale and East and West Garfield Park — had 105 homicides in 2021, up from 103 in 2020 and 74 in the year prior, according to police data.
While Chicago experienced a citywide surge in violent crime in 2021, West Side neighborhoods in the 11th District have long struggled with shootings and homicides. While the district has had the most murders of any district citywide for at least a decade, there has been a significant increase — in 2011, the district had 44 homicides, less than half the number last year.
Carjackings in the 11th District have risen sharply since the pandemic began. In 2019 when there were 79, in 2020 there were 185 and in 2021 there were 192, according to police data.