CHICAGO — Two cities, following different road maps, have shown the possibilities and potential pitfalls of police reform. The challenges facing Baltimore and Chicago were seen as synonymous three years ago. Both cities embarked on reforms around the same time, which are still in the early stages.

In both cities, a police-involved citizen death brought long-simmering frustrations to the surface. In Baltimore, it was the death of Freddie Gray in the back of a police van. In Chicago, it was the killing of Laquan McDonald, shot by a police officer 16 times.

Baltimore’s effort is lagging, with violent crime rising to levels not seen in a quarter-century. As a big-city mayor, I know firsthand how difficult these challenges are to overcome. Chicago is still a long way from the level of public safety we want for every neighborhood. Since 2016, however, homicides are down 27 percent and shootings are down 32 percent.

It is too soon to draw a straight line from Chicago’s police reform efforts to the progress in crime reduction our city has made. But an effective and focused police department, along with increased after school activities, more summer jobs and greater local economic opportunities all contribute to safer neighborhoods.