We're smack in the middle of the SECOND year of this disturbingly upward surge. Many cities across the nation are seeing whatever progress they have made within the past decade all but disappear. Gary, Indiana is again, as I have stated in previous posts (15 May - We're On The Same Page) trying desperately to reclaim it's title as "Murder Capital of the USA" with 32 homicides (so far) this year. Indianapolis isn't fairing much better with OVER FIFTY (which puts them in line for another year of near record numbers if things keep going the way they are).
Mayor Rudy Clay (of Gary) states that these homicides "are not gang-related...not drug-related". The POLICE, on the other hand have gone on record saying that at LEAST HALF of the homicides this year CAN be linked to DRUGS.
Someone ought to clue the mayor in on the fact that (in the words of Mark Twain): "DENIAL AIN'T JUST A RIVER IN EGYPT"! And denial won't make crimes like this just "go away",either.
Personally, I tend to believe the "grunts in the trench" faster than some paper-jockey behind some desk with gold braid on his shoulders. Same goes for politicians....the police would know more than some "suit" in his "Ivory Palace" regarding what happens on the streets of ANY city.
Similar situations like this are being mirrored across the nation, but the largest upsurges can be seen not only in America's largest cities (where one would EXPECT this to happen), but thanks to the "trickle down" effect, we're seeing it more and more in smaller cities, and especially in the places one would not normally think of (such as the Midwest).
Philadelphia has also seen it's share of rising gun violence and homicides, and has created a team with the acronym S.I.T.E. ( Strategic Intervention Tactical Enforcement) that has one role within the department:to serve as a specialized anti-crime task force in high-crime areas of the city.
Think of it as a "Metro Squad" for a BIG city.
It consists of about 40 officers, working past their duty shift, "off the radio" (not responding to regular calls), patrolling known "badlands" in certain districts, looking for anything or anyone appearing the slightest bit hinky. The team recruits officers specifically for their "aggressive policing style". Man, could we use them HERE in Fort Wayne!
Only in Philly, there's no grumbling from either the ACLU or the NAACP!
(psst...it's STILL called CRIMINAL profiling, people)
And it's working. But for every perp busted and every gun confiscated, more keep appearing. The PPD commissioner says that Philly has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the state. I would tend to disagree. But I would get one LEGALLY. And from years past, they had in both Philly AND Pittsburgh a thorough background check with a waiting period (used to be 3 days). Compared to Fort Wayne, that's strict.
Upstate PA doesn't have such regulatory restrictions. Then again, a lot of folks there are packing, and have GUN RACKS in their pickups...with fully-loaded rifles and shotguns in them....so you KNOW no one screws with THEM. I tend to believe (from past experience) that the number of guns in Philly come from elsewhere and NOT from Philly (proper). Hell, with all the straw purchasing going on, I wouldn't be surprised if guns used in Philly homicides come from Indiana! And that's only the guns that are "bought"...we're not talking about the stolen ones, or the black market firearms available. I was once offered a chance to get a TEC-9 w/30 round clips from a person I knew in NJ with "connections" to South Philly for $200...no questions asked...(I still kick myself for not following up on that). Yeah, if only....
Gary's new police chief is more street-wise, and has noticed that two thirds of the police force is behind a desk. That is changing. Chief Tom Houston feels the force is too "top-heavy". The mayor is also asking for the PUBLIC'S help in bringing the crime rate down. "People in Gary must get involved", he said.
OK then, mister mayor...got a proposal for 'ya. Why don't you DEPUTIZE any and all LAW-ABIDING citizens that legally OWN a gun, turn THEM loose and watch the crime rate FALL (like a lead balloon)...
It's just a thought.
And it DOES have the novelty of never having been tried (in at least 130 years).
2 comments:
"Gary's new police chief is more street-wise, and has noticed that two thirds of the police force is behind a desk."
Wow, I'd be embarrassed if I were the chief of police! That's solid evidence that the police department "ain't bein' run right".
I like the idea of deputizing law-abiding citizens who own a gun legally.
LOL, I just pictued in my head little blomb bimbos who carry little guns in their purses aiming it at a guy 2 or more times their size!
XD
OK, kidding aside, I think that it is a good idea. Plausible as well.
I don't know how LONG this new Gary PD chief has been in place, but at least he WANTS to turn things around.
It's better than much of the status quo in other cities!
B.G.
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