With May just beginning, Chicago violence is skyrocketing

With just four days into the month of May, the number of shootings is skyrocketing.

Thirty-one people have been shot in Chicago in the last four days, and eight of them died.

Tuesday was a brutally violent day with three men killed and 14 others wounded in shootings on the South and West Sides, including two men who were just playing dice in Austin.

On Wednesday, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson talked with residents in the Austin neighborhood about crime and what he's doing about it.

In the Austin neighborhood, there have been 132 shootings already this year, with 23 of those homicides making Austin the deadliest area in Chicago.

Now, one mother says she has no confidence in CPD.

"We are looking for answers in regards to Courtney’s death,” said mother Shapearl Wells.

Today is the two month anniversary of her son's death. Courtney Copeland, 22, was shot and killed in his car just north of the Austin neighborhood. Wells says her son's murder is still not solved and she fears for her community.

"I want to see a platform a plan to curb the violence the summer is coming,” she said.

Wednesday night's meeting brought together the community, politicians, pastors and police. The police commander for the Austin area says they’ve seen 50 more shootings this year compared to last year.

However, they are hearing residents loud and clear.

"They want to see officers interacting more they want to have more dialogue they want the officers to slow down, stop get out of the car see what's going on,” said 15th District Police Commander Dwayne Betts.

He says this is not the first time he's met with his community, but it is the first time with new Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.

"They do want the police to be in their neighborhoods, but they just want to be treated with respect and for the police to be professional,” Johnson said.

"The meeting was very informative. We need to come together on one accord: there is too much violence in our neighborhood.”

"They were asking questions about jobs and not just for the youth, from 16-24, what about adults…the superintendent is very sincere and he really wants to make a change."

The superintendent says in response to the increase in homicides so far this year, they know who the suspects are.

“We know where they live, we know what they do, so those individuals we are offering other services to. If they don't want to take them, then we will come after them with everything that we can,” Johnson said.

The police commander in the Austin area says they will have a slightly different strategy this summer, with putting more police officer on bikes and on foot.