AMERICA - Chicago's South Side Community and Crime (reprise)

"As Homicide Rate Soars on Chicago's South Side, Community Steps Up to Halt Crime" PBS Newshour 8/1/2012

Excerpt

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour): Next, a soaring homicide rate in Chicago prompts alarm, mourning and changes.

It's been a bloody year in the city. Nearly 300 people have been killed in the first seven months of the year. That's 31 percent higher than it was a year ago. Residents are angry.

Special correspondent Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW reports on how police are changing their approach in a hard-hit district.

LYNETTE HELM, Chicago police commander: OK. So, today, as always, we're going to make sure that we deploy to our conflict zones.

ELIZABETH BRACKETT: Commander Lynette Helm gives the afternoon shift their orders before they head out to their beats in Chicago's Third Police District on the city's South Side.

Officers once in specialized units and desk jobs are now being moved to the street. It's part of a new strategy to combat violence that Deputy Chief Eddie Johnson says is working.