Polysentry's Insights

The number of retail thefts recorded across downtown Chicago in 2023, including in the city’s major footfall and retail business areas, have seen a significant increase of nearly 12% since 2022. The top five locations of retail theft occurred within either police district 1 or 18. Perpetrators of these crimes have chosen to target areas within these districts that are nearby the Loop or the Magnificent Mile, where the majority of the city’s largest hospitality, retail, and financial institutions are located. Small retail stores and department stores were the most frequented targets of attack.

Since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated into a hot war on Oct. 7, 2023, demonstrations have been taking place in major cities across the world. New York City has been a major focal point of unrest, where thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators continue to take part in mass protests, walk-outs, and motor caravans across the city’s five boroughs.