Trump marks deadly year in Chicago, hints at federal help

President-elect Donald Trump remarked on Monday that 2016 was one of the most violent years in Chicago history, hinting that federal assistance may be necessary to help end the bloodshed in the city.

“Chicago murder rate is record setting — 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016,” Trump tweeted. “If Mayor can’t do it he must ask for Federal help!”

Chicago murder rate is record setting – 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016. If Mayor can’t do it he must ask for Federal help!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2017

{mosads}Chicago has been at the center of a national dialogue about gun violence. The nation’s third largest city saw 762 homicides in 2016, which is the most in two decades and more than New York and Los Angeles combined.

Chicago also saw 1,100 more shooting incidents than it did in 2015, according to statistics released by the Chicago Police Department on Sunday.

The numbers are staggering, even for those following the steady news accounts of weekends ending with dozens of shootings and monthly death tolls that hadn’t been seen in years.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office responded to Trump’s tweet about the deadly year in the city later Monday.

“As the president-elect knows from his conversation with the mayor, we agree the federal government has a strong role to play in public safety,” the statement from Emanuel’s spokesman read.

“We are heartened he is taking this issue seriously and look forward to working with the new administration on these important efforts.”

Statement from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s spokesman on Trump Chicago crime tweet says “we are heartened he is taking this issue seriously.” pic.twitter.com/HspTJVeZ3h

— Bill Ruthhart (@BillRuthhart) January 2, 2017

Emanuel met with the president-elect in December. Emanuel was a former chief of staff to President Obama and senior adviser to former President Bill Clinton.

Paulina Firozi contributed 

Updated: 2:46 p.m.