It appears that the article on crime in LaSalle titled”LaSalle officials respond to recent shooting” in the News Tribune on February 4th has created quite a conversation on the paper’s blog. While I don’t participate on that blog I do occasionally check out the most commented stories list. There are points that our Mayor brought up that I agree with in that the problem is not limited to LaSalle and that we need aggressive policing action. I also understand the public’s anger when they report an activity and it goes unchecked.
I also believe that some of this activity is gang related and also some of which appears to be gang related are actions of those who want to appear as a gang equal. If the problem were easily fixable we would not see it in some degree in all cities across America. One need only read further in the same edition of that day’s paper and see evidence of that very fact.
I don’t profess to be a criminal expert so I can’t give you the easy answer. I do know that the breakdown of the family unit over the years has help create a magnetic pull towards gangs for many latchkey kids growing up. When your young and impressionable and there is no parental unit guiding your actions and decisions many times wrong choices are made because of the perceived power of being in a gang. Schools are trying to deal with it but there are limits to what they can do when some parents aren’t interested in raising their children. It may be too late for many of these children who turned into adult criminals at a young age. What we need to change is the mindset of the next crop of potential gang members.
That will take a concerted effort on all our parts…government officials, teachers, police, and parents to break this cycle which has become much too strong in the last twenty years. If the current gangs can’t bring new blood into their groups, the groups will diminish and ultimately die for lack of participation. It won’t be easy and it won’t happen overnight but I believe its the only way this waste of life will end.
I have seen our officers at work an find them to be skilled and professional in their actions. I have come to know our Police Chief Rob Uranich as a person of high moral and ethical character. He is always trying to improve the quality of his department and is constantly expanding his knowledge of policing skills. Let us work with and not attack the very men and women who’s job it is to keep us safe in troubling times.
Loading ...
