So, Chicago, an iconic American city in the heartland of America. A city built on the backs of American workers. Located on the south shores of Lake Michigan, this city has a reputation for lots of different attributes. However, there's another thing it has become noted for: violent crime.
Sadly, the political establishment has been unable to control the violence. Over the 4th of July holiday weekend-a long one indeed, there were 100 victims of shootings with 20 fatalities, including several women and children. Most of the violence occurred in Chicago's South Side neighborhood, and area of low income residents and high numbers of criminal activities. The Mayor of Chicago has asked the federal government for immediate assistance in combating this new situation in the form of additional police numbers. Can the Feds help? They were called into San francisco to combat drug dealers who flaunted the laws. Temporarily, they reduced the incidence of drug sales and drug related crimes. Then they left the City to its own devices. The drug trade resumed operations.
If Chicago has any hope at all, it will include a multi-faceted task force charged with changing a culture of crime that has existed for decades in the South Side. Maybe a half century of more. And the Democratic Convention will soon join the activities in the city. Good luck, Chicago-you'll need all of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment