Chicago showed signs of progress in the city's fight against crime in 2025, as police data showed homicides were down more than 29%, shooting incidents fell by 35%, shooting victims fell by 34%, and robberies dropped by 36%.

The city ended 2025 with 416 homicides, down from 587 in 2024, and the lowest annual total in the city since 1965.

Homicides have been on the decline for four consecutive years in Chicago, and leaders with violence intervention organizations on the South and West sides said it took a collaborative effort between police and multiple other programs to get guns off the streets.

"It's easy to say collaborate, but the other thing is really to do it," said Bradly Johnson, CEO of BUILD, a community violence prevention group in the Austin neighborhood.

Johnson said a coordinated effort to fight crime – involving police, schools, nonprofits, and others – is what makes a difference. 

"When you pair that together – along with the churches, the organizations that provide education, GED services, connection to workforce development – what you're seeing is young people who now have opportunity that's paired with hope," he said. "We have dedicated individuals, many who you'll see around here, who literally are from the blocks, from the neighborhood, who walked that path and are now pulling young people away and showing and demonstrating to them what are the opportunities that they have."

Andre Thomas, CEO of Integrity and Fidelity NFP, a community violence intervention group in the Austin neighborhood, said he's doing the same thing in Englewood.

"These young men need to know that it's another way," he said.

Both groups said having people who are from the neighborhood and understand what the youth are going through makes a difference.

"My job is to try and stop stuff before it happens," Thomas said.

Thomas has group of men who are from Englewood, speaking to younger generations about how they can avoid going down the wrong path.

"I think we're credible messengers. I've walked the walk. I know what you're going through. I've been where you're going if you don't stop what you're doing," He said.

Thomas says he's been down the wrong path himself, and wants to lead the way for the next generation.

"Because I walk that walk and I suffer some of the consequences of that walk, I understand now what's needed for somebody that's still trapped up in that cycle. Who better than me and people like me to come back into the community and talk?" he said.

He has a sign outside of his location that aims to inform young men about the reality of the consequences of violent crime.

"Before you think about pulling the trigger, first think about sitting in a bathroom for 23 hours for the next 50 to 75 years," he said. "If you go out there and pull that trigger right now, the setup is designed that you may go away for 70 years."

Both organizations said, as long these collaborative efforts continue and they continue their work of boots on the ground, they think we'll see the number of shootings go down in Chicago.