Viewers react to 60 Minutes' Chicago report
Crime and casualties in Chicago “surged to a level more in line with a war zone than one of America’s great cities,” correspondent Bill Whitaker reported on 60 Minutes this past Sunday. In 2016, with more than 700 murders and more than 4,000 people shot, Chicago saw the worst bloodshed in 18 years.
As crime in Chicago went up, police activity, at some point last year, underwent a drastic change. Data obtained by 60 Minutes showed that while gun violence spiked, police activity dropped in all 22 of Chicago’s police districts.
“The police are on their heels,” former Chicago police superintendent Garry McCarthy told 60 Minutes. “We’re reaching a state of lawlessness.”
Many viewers who tweeted responses to our story put the blame on Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who declined 60 Minutes’ request to be interviewed for the segment.
@60Minutes Good show on Chicago. Answer- Get rid of Rahm. Obviously inadequate and corrupt. Stats are horrendous on police effectivness. Sad
— ohbytheway (@mschwma) January 3, 2017
This @60Minutes feature on crime in Chicago is just devastating. Shame on Rahm Emanuel for declining comment.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 2, 2017
@4danlopez @ChicagosMayor Hope Rahm Emanuel watched @60Minutes last night. The story he refused to comment on. https://t.co/j31l0wLuXl
— barbara davidson (@photospice) January 2, 2017
President-Elect Donald Trump tweeted the morning after the broadcast with some advice for Mayor Emanuel.
Chicago murder rate is record setting - 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016. If Mayor can't do it he must ask for Federal help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2017
Trump’s tweet prompted a range of reactions:
Once again @realDonaldTrump gets his info from TV. 60 Minutes has show on Chicago killings & all of a sudden Trump interested.
— Judy Bow (@judme) January 2, 2017
@realDonaldTrump Since when "must" local government ask for help from the feds? Isn't that the opposite of conservatism?
— Matt Peterson (@mattbpete) January 2, 2017
@realDonaldTrump as a person living in #Chicago, let me say we'd rather manage without your "help."
— Aaron Kaufman (@Aaron_Kaufman) January 2, 2017
Trump framing Chicago as a failed city that needs his help days before Obama delivers his "farewell address" from Chicago. https://t.co/GmGQhiVntq
— Phillip Paulson (@PaulsonPhillip) January 2, 2017
Many viewers disagreed on social media over who to blame for the bloodshed -- cops or criminals:
@60Minutes @Chicago_Police When thugs (white or black) quit murdering, stealing, looting, rioting, destroying property. Then the number of dead thugs will decrease 🤘
— comeaux (@mosadiebo) January 2, 2017
Y'all watching this @60Minutes piece on Chicago violence? These Chicago cops are a damn joke. They don't like ANY accountability.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 2, 2017
I actually agree with @realDonaldTrump . I watched @60Minutes &I feel bad for the police. I don't blame them for stepping back. https://t.co/vqtA299boW
— lcrafton (@marykay_lcraft) January 2, 2017
@BillWhitakerCBS @60Minutes @CBSNews Brutal. Obvious, police can't make stops because it requires a 45 minute report. It's impossible. Blame the @ACLU
— John Wiedemann (@jjwiedem) January 2, 2017
@rolandsmartin @60Minutes So since they can't racial profile and de-humanize black folk, they just refrain from doing their jobs. Ridiculous
— Warren Quinn (@WarrenTQuinn) January 2, 2017
@60Minutes @BillWhitakerCBS @Chicago_Police Why should the cops risk their lives and get the blame for everything.
— Charlie Snow (@snowcharlie55) January 2, 2017
@60Minutes because they can't do anything without being accused of racism of getting killed.
— Skleeners (@GgSkleeners) January 2, 2017
I wouldn't be a police officer in Chicago. It's a thankless job. Why protect a community that despises and takes aim at you? @60Minutes
— Big Bertha (@MistralWinds) January 2, 2017