Tire Slashing in Chicago: April 6, 2019

Table and Graph

Table 1. Number of Tires Slashed in Chicago on April 6, 2019, by Location (Block, Avenue,
Road, or Street)
Location (Block, Avenue, Road, or Street) Number of Tires Slashed
3500 block of West Grand Avenue 202
2500 block of West Touhy Avenue 43
3300 block of South Archer Avenue 24
5600 block of West Diversey Avenue 16
8200 block of South Kedzie Avenue 12
4900 block of South Kedzie Avenue 12
6500 block of West Irving Park Road 12
2200 block of West Western Avenue 12
5400 block of West Madison Street 12
6100 block of South Pulaski Road 12

Graph 1. Number of Tires Slashed in Chicago on April 6, 2019, by Block, Avenue, Road, or
Street

3500
block of
West
Grand
Avenue
2500
block of
West
Touhy
Avenue
3300
block of
South
Archer
Avenue
5600
block of
West
Diversey
Avenue
8200
block of
South
Kedzie
Avenue
4900
block of
South
Kedzie
Avenue
6500
block of
West
Irving
Park Road
2200
block of
West
Western
Avenue
5400
block of
West
Madison
Street
6100
block of
South
Pulaski
Road

Location – Block, Avenue, Road, or Street

0
50
100
150
200
250
Number of Tires Slashed in Chicago on April
2019, by Block, Avenue, Road, or Street

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Analysis and Findings

The results in table 1 and graph 1 above indicate a significant spike in car tire slashing
cases along several avenues, roads, and streets in Chicago, Illinois, United States, during the
month of April 2019. The perpetrators targeted ten different locations, with 3500 block of West
Grand Avenue being the worst hit with 202 tires being slashed followed by 2500 block of West
Touhy Avenue (43), 3300 block of South Archer Avenue (24), and 5600 block of West Diversey
Avenue (16). The remaining six locations – blocks 8200 and 4900 blocks in South Kedzie
Avenue, block 6500 in West Irving Park Road, block 2200 in West Western Avenue, block 5400
in West Madison Street, and block 6100 in South Pulaski Road – all registered twelve incidents.
According to CBS Chicago (2019), the crimes have cost victims thousands of dollars in
damages. In response, Cook County Crime Stoppers have issued a $1,000 cash reward for any
leads or information to would assist in the arrest of the person(s) responsible for damaging the
over 350 tires in the area.
The April 2019 incident is not an isolated case because Chicago has periodically been on
the headlines for car tire slashing crimes. For example, in July 2023, another incident involving
29 tire slashing rampage was reported in Romeoville’s Creekside and Highpoint subdivisions.
Law enforcement officers responded to one particular case in 200 block of High Point Drive
involving three male suspects (Fox 32 Digital Staff, 2023). Multiple other cases were reported in
1800 block of South Paulina Street on March 2024. Residents shared CCT video footages with
law enforcement officers, showing a “lone wolf” deflating tires in several homes in Pilsen
(Machi, 2024). Chicago is not only the area targeted by slashers; the entire state of Illinois is a
hotbed. For example, in Mar 2021, tires were slashed on roughly 100 vehicles in Urbana

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(WAND, 2021). In response, law enforcement officers have called residents to keep vigil and
park their cars safely.

Disclaimers

The reported date of the over 350 Chicago car-slashing incidents may not imply that all the
crimes were committed on the same date. They may have occurred several months leading up to
April 6, 2019. The report may not also show all developments and details related to the incidents.
Additional data may be present that can impact the analysis and understanding of the events.
Additionally, the information provided in this report should be used for information reasons only,
not legal advice. Consult with law enforcement officials (the police) and legal experts for
guidance on particular actions and legal procedures related to tire slashing cases in Chicago.

Recommendations

Like other crimes, tire slashing cases can cause significant psychological and financial
trauma to victims, making it prudent for law enforcement officers to design and implement
targeted prevention strategies. On potential solution is to install surveillance in hot spots, such as
3500 block of West Grand Avenue. Installing security cameras near targeted AutoZone stores can
help law enforcement officers collect evidence that they can use to arrest and prosecute
perpetrators. The mere presence of CCT cameras can also deter criminals.

Credit/Date

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References

CBS News. (2019, April 6). More than 350 tires slashed in Chicago, up to $1,000 cash reward
offered. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/more-than-350-tires-slashed-in-chicago-
up-to-1000-cash-reward-offered/
Fox32 Digital Staff. (2023, July 3). 29 tires slashed in Romeoville, police investigating. Fox32
Chicago. https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/29-tires-slashed-romeoville-police-
investigating
Machi, S. (2024, Mar 14). Neighbors say tire slasher has been caught on camera in Chicago
neighborhoods. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/tire-slasher-pilsen-
chicago-neighborhoods/
WAND. (2021, Mar 1). Police: Tires slashed on over 100 vehicles in Urbana.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/police-tires-slashed-on-over-100-vehicles-in-
urbana/article_5610c186-7adf-11eb-8ecd-bf8e996c1bcc.html