Chicago police offers are clocking more employee time than ever, and the declining murder rates indicate that extended hours are proving beneficial for the city. This week, Chicago saw murder rates drop by 34 percent over the same period last year, marking the lowest homicide rate since the 1960s. There have been 146 recorded homicides so far this year - 76 less than the same period last year.

City officials are crediting increased police presence as the reason behind the drop. The city launched "Operation Impact" earlier this year to curb violent crimes across the city. As part of the initiative, more than 400 police officers work overtime every day in 20 of the most violent areas of the city.

Although it appears the project is working, the police department's overtime budget will soon be exhausted - more than 84 percent of overtime funds have already been distributed this year.

In addition to funding challenges, many are skeptical that the plan will keep working as summer continues, especially because rising temperatures are seen as a contributing factor to increased homicide rates across Chicago each year. Because more people are outside at large public gatherings, summer shootings often have higher fatality rates. As hotter months approach, it will become clear whether reduced murder rates are due to officers working overtime, or to unusually cool weather.

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