The level of crime in Chicago these days is more on par with certain violent third-world countries than other U.S. cities.  In fact, we recently pointed out that Chicago has recorded more homicides so far in 2016 than Los Angeles and New York, combined, despite having a fraction of the population (see “Chicago Records “Most Violent Month In 20 Years“). 

With 3 days left in the month of August, the city of Chicago has recorded 84 homicides making it the deadliest month since October 1996 when 85 homicides were committed.  In fact, as the Chicago Tribune points out, YTD through August, Chicago has recorded more homicides than New York City and Los Angeles, combined.  So far Chicago has recorded 487 homicides in 2016 compared to 222 in New York and 176 in Los Angeles.  This staggering data comes despite the fact that Chicago’s total population is roughly 20% the size of New York and Los Angeles.

The latest wave of violent crime came on Friday when an arsonist set 7 fires in the Lower West Side neighborhood of Chicago.  The fires killed at least one man and has left as many as 40 people homeless according to The Chicago Tribune and ABC.

At least seven separate fires were reported around 3 a.m., apparently set in alley trash cans that spread to garages and homes.  Around 100 firefighters from across the city were required to help extinguish the flames.

According to The Chicago Tribune, residents were slow to respond to the fires after dismissing “noises” from the flames as firecrackers from a nearby celebration of Mexican Independence Day. 

#Chicago #Pilsen 7 Arson Fires left one man dead and 25 people displaced in Pilsen on 9/15/2016 #Donations https://t.co/2w8XrBYLVA

— Ability Chicago Info (@AbilityChicago) September 17, 2016

The latest round of arsons come just days after Reginal Hester appeared in court for a blaze he set in the city’s South Chicago neighborhood that killed 4 people and injured two others.  According to ABC, Hester torched an apartment building after one its residents borrowed $10 and refused to repay him with sexual favors.

Alas, we’re sure the Black Lives Matters folks will dismiss these recent arsons as just another unfortunate side effect of Chicago’s “racist” police force.