Chicago's top cop revealed some new strategies Friday to fight crime in the city-- adding semi-automatic weapons, an armor-plated vehicle, and full SWAT dress in crime hot spots.

Tracking homicide numbers has long been - whether fair or not - an important measure of how well the police department is doing its job. In the first four months of 2008, there have been 134 murders in Chicago. That's 11 more than in the same period last year. Aggravated batteries are also higher.

The new superintendent is re-working some crime-fighting strategies. His moves involve assignments, firepower, and dress.

Part of the strategy includes deploying SWAT team members and other specialized officers in full battle dress to crime hot spots. The measure began last month and will continue. Critics believe it to be cosmetic and meant to intimidate. The superintendent sees it as a deterrent.

Read Full Article Here