By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on September 13, 2024
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice released its "National Crime Victimization Survey.” The survey found that violent crime in America was up 37% from 2020 to 2023, rape was up 42%, robbery was up 63%, and stranger violence was up 61%.
No public official has claimed that these crime statistics are inaccurate. No public official is willing to accept the blame for the rise in violent crime. As expected, no public official has advanced a basket of practical and effective solutions for curbing violent crime.
In the 25 years since the school shooting at Columbine High School, more than 338,000 students in the U.S. have experienced gun violence at school. Yet, we are still waiting for a practical solution to school massacres. Today, banning books in public school libraries appears to be a more important priority than protecting the lives of our school children.
The law enforcement function in America has become more politicized and weaponized today than ever before. This paradigm exists whether the U.S. president, governor, U.S. attorney general, state attorney general, local district attorney, and mayor in power is a Republican or Democrat. Anyone who claims otherwise is bullshitting the public.
Meanwhile, Americans are suffering from rising violent crime that is undeniable. The rise in violent crime seems to be uncontrollable.
In my opinion crime are local issues at the local level. I believe the federal level may have an impact, but majors and county leaders should own the crime.
To me crime prevention starts with people working. If you are working, you have more to lose committing crimes.