(WTTW News)

More than 700 homicides and 3,000 shootings have been recorded in Chicago so far in 2020 with a full month to go in the year as the Chicago Police Department says total crime citywide has continued to decline.

Last month the city recorded 267 shootings and 58 homicides, which both represent increases of more than 70% compared to November 2019.

“This has been a difficult year for law enforcement throughout the country as COVID-19 and civil unrest have converged to create charged environments in major U.S. cities,” CPD Superintendent David Brown said in a statement. “Chicago is no exception. And yet, our officers continue to work hard every day to make our home a safer place.”

The 58 homicides reported in November mark the highest total for that month since 2016 and the third-highest total since 2000.

So far this year, Chicago has recorded 3,033 total shootings and 716 killings. Shootings and homicides remain up more than 50% through the first 11 months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Despite those increases in violent crime, Chicago police said overall crime is down 7% so far in 2020, driven largely by significant reductions in burglaries and thefts.

The CPD has recovered more than 10,000 guns this year, resulting in more than 6,600 firearm-related arrests. The department expects to end this year with its highest number of gun arrests in a decade.

While shooting totals are up citywide, the CPD said there has also been a 294% increase in the number of officers who have been shot at this year, jumping from 18 in 2019 to 71 in 2020. Of those, 10 officers have been struck by gunfire this year.

“I want to commend our officers for putting their lives on the line every day,” Brown said, “and working to improve public safety.”

Contact Matt Masterson:@ByMattMasterson |[email protected]| (773) 509-5431