Chicago has been fighting an inner city war that is continuing to become worse as summer’s warmer weather continues. As the third largest city, Chicago is number one in murder rate, and violent crime rates per capita compared to Los Angeles and New York City. This year, the homicide rate for the first quarter has increased by 71 percent from 79 (2015) to 135, being the worst quarter since 1999. The victims range in age, race, and gender. Young children are innocent victims playing in their yards.
With 13 victims during Father’s Day weekend, Chicago reached its 300th homicide and is on track for over 500 this year. The same weekend, Chicago Police Officers confiscated almost 100 guns off the streets. With the help of gun buyback events, the officers have collected over 4,200 guns, yet the violence is increasing. Most of the gun violence in Chicago is rooted in gang violence. In Chicago, over 59 gangs are scattered throughout the city.
The numbers reported by the media every morning do not surprise Chicagoans anymore; each day a handful of victims are injured or killed, with the numbers doubling on weekends. Aldermen, Congressmen, and Mayor Emanuel give a speech honoring the fallen. It becomes a routine. Chicago is associated with violence to foreigners nation and worldwide with nicknames like “Chiraq”.
With extra officers on the street, marking the middle of summer, Fourth of July mixed violence with freedom. A total of around 66 people were shot, bringing the year’s total to 2,021, compared to last years total of over 2,900. The shootings took place all over the city even though 5,000 officers were deployed. The holiday weekend is always one of - if not the most - violent weekends annually.
This years is seeing an increase in violence that mirrors the trends of the 1990s. Currently there are 315 homicides marking the middle of the summer, with 4,300 guns removed from he streets. As the warm weather continues, the more lives will be lost. The Chicago Police Department did not have an answer to how they will monitor the violence for the second half of the year. The city can not afford paying overtime with the increase in police presence.
Some say that there are not enough officers in certain areas, but it comes down to guns in falling in the wrong hands. Legislators are trying to pas a bill lengthening sentences of repeating gun offenders. It is not one person’s job to end the violence, it is a change in culture and individuals choosing not to pick gun violence for revenge.
Make a difference, create a movement, and stand up against gun violence.
