July 04, 2012: CHICAGO (FOX Chicago News) - Chicago police know that the heat can lead to more trouble. They are gearing up with more officers on high visibility patrols.

At least 14 people were wounded in *** across the city since 5 p.m. Tuesday, police said. Three remain in area hospitals in critical condition, while a 15-year-old boy *** playing basketball was seriously wounded.

The most recent *** happened about 11:20 p.m. when a male and a female were *** in the 5100 block of West Maypole Avenue, police said. Paramedics took both to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park.

About 9 p.m., paramedics responded to two people *** in the 2300 block of West Washington Boulevard, according to Fire Media Affairs.

An 18-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were both ***, though further details were not yet known, police said. Both were in fair-to-serious condition, according to Fire Media Affairs.

Three people were hurt in a *** at 7:28 in the North Side Uptown neighborhood. Two males got out of a white Ford Taurus in the 4400 block of North Racine Avenue and opened fire, leaving two women critically injured, police said.

Another man was wounded in the attack, which police think may be gang-related.

Both women were taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, according to Fire Media Affairs. The man was taken in "stable" condition to Weiss Memorial Hospital.

Four other people were wounded in a *** at 5:38 p.m. in the 6000 block of South Rockwell Avenue, police said.

Four males, ages 17 and 18, were *** in the extremities, police said, citing preliminary information. One was *** in his right knee, another was *** in his right hand and the other two were *** in their right foot and right thigh, respectively.

Fire Department officials had information on only three of the teens. One was in "stable" condition to Holy Cross Hospital and one was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. Another male was taken in "stable" condition to Saint Bernard Hospital.

Police called the *** a possibly gang-related drive-by attack.

Just five minutes earlier, a 34-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were *** in the 3800 block of West Augusta Boulevard, police said. The woman was *** in the buttocks and taken in good condition to Mount Sinai Hospital. The man suffered a graze wound and refused medical attention.

The youngest victim was a 15-year-old boy *** while playing basketball about 5 p.m. in the 8500 block of South Peoria Avenue, police said. An unknown *** took out a gun and opened fire, hitting him in the left arm.

The teen was taken in serious condition to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park.

No one was in custody for any of the *** Tuesday ***.

As a siren wailed in the background, police from the 18th District assembled en mass for an outdoor roll call on North Michigan Avenue Tuesday afternoon.

"If something should arise we're ready for it, we have adequate resources down here," Area Central Deputy Chief Eddie Johnson said. "We continuously assess what's going on downtown, so if there's adequate resources here to address it."

After a few weekends of mob attacks and other violence in early June an increased police presence in the heart of the tourist mecca has preempted any more significant problems.

But some visitors are still wary.

"I'm vacationing and news of Chicago's crime and uptick in the crime preceded our visit, so we were well aware of how dangerous it is," Charlottesville, VA resident Brooke Correll said, "and I think seeing the cops out in force was great."

"It makes me feel good, I feel safe visiting Chicago," Valparaiso resident Dana Polomchak said. "I think it's a great idea police are showing their presence."

During the roll call, which served as a visible show of force for the cameras and people strolling through the area, the 18th District commander also had an important reminder for his officers about the weather.

"Can't keep people safe, if we don't keep ourselves safe," 18th district Cdr. Kenneth Angorone said. "Predicting extreme temperatures this weekend, please remember to keep yourselves hydrated. You can't help anyone if you're sent to the hospital."

In addition to the uniformed officers here and in other parts of the city, police also planned to deploy undercover officers to keep the peace as best possible.

"What we want to emphasize is that police are committed to keeping the downtown area, as well as the city of Chicago, safe during the holiday period," Johnson said.

Read more: http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/18947118/chicago-police-gear-up-to-take-on-heat-wave-crime-high-visibility-patrols#ixzz1zelllxFS