Chicago: The Windy City... with a Pickpocketing Problem? stanovnika (That's Polish for "residents", fancy, huh?)
So, you're curious about how often things got a little too "hands-on" in Chicago last year, eh? Let's just say 2023 wasn't exactly a banner year for leaving your wallet unattended while fiddling with your phone.
More Up Close and Personal Than You Bargained For
Here's the not-so-fun fact: According to CBS Chicago, the city saw over 10,400 robberies in 2023. That's a 24% jump from the year before! Yikes.
Hold on, Wasn't There a Crime Downturn?
Now, you might be thinking, "Hey, didn't I hear something about crime going down in Chicago?" Well, that plot twist applies more to homicides. Apparently, fewer folks are getting ventilated, but greetings from the land of "Gimme your stuff!"
The Great Grab-and-Dash of 2023
Seems like these robberies weren't just one-off incidents either. News outlets were buzzing about "robbery sprees," where groups of cheerful chaps decided to, ahem, "relieve" multiple people of their valuables in a single night. Not cool, dudes.
But Wait, There's More! (Because Apparently Chicago Had Enough to Deal With)
Here's the kicker: while these sprees were hitting the wealthier areas in the North Side, most robberies still happened in the South and West sides. So yeah, there's a bit of a social disparity thing going on here too.
Look, nobody wants to get robbed, but hey, at least Chicago isn't THAT bad... right?
Actually, compared to 2013, the 2023 numbers are a bit lower. So there's that. Still, maybe keep a tighter grip on your purse and avoid those dark alleyways, okay?
On a brighter note: Chicago's known for its deep-dish pizza, world-class museums, and stunning architecture. So why not focus on those awesome things instead? Just sayin'.
