Illinois State Police increase patrols amid rising Chicago freeway shootings
FOX 32’s Joanie Lum reports …
CHICAGO – Illinois State Soldiers come from statewide to Chicago to be highly visible on area freeways to respond and prevent gunfire.
The numbers are alarming: 52 highway shootings were reported in 2019, 128 in 2020 and 185 in 2021 to date.
Sixteen people have died this year and 85 have been injured as many shootings remain unsolved.
State patrols will increase 157% in the Chicago area during evenings and nights, the peak hours of criminal activity.
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State police say the concentrated level of gun violence over the past two years is unprecedented. They installed 100 new license plate reading cameras, doubling the total to 200.
The technology will help with investigations, the search for witnesses and the identification of suspects. Right now, they rely on witnesses to call with information after the crime.
License plate cameras installed on highways
ISP has started installing license plate cameras on the Dan Ryan, which is the state’s most dangerous highway, where 51 shootings have taken place this year.
State police always want the public’s help, calling on drivers to safely obtain a license plate number from any vehicle involved in a crime.
Increased patrols begin Friday.
