It is very obvious that our nation’s capital is in a public safety crisis. As crime and murder increase due to gun violence, the question is why? Why have so many human beings lost the value of life and humanity? To top it off, many innocent children have become victims. They have lost their right to grow up. Their parents, friends, and families have also lost their opportunity to be a part of that process.
Perhaps the stress of financial hardship that many are facing during this pandemic is contributing to the violence. Or maybe even the fact that many children have not been in school and parents are at home from work. Whatever it may be, the tensions are high.
We have to come together as a nation and community to truly put solutions in place that will END gun violence that is now killing our children and other innocent people. As a community, we have to bombard our local law enforcement and public officials with demands to create a safer city.
What do you think can be done to make high-crime neighborhoods safer? Perhaps increase the police presence, and make sure police interact with the public to bridge the gap. All officers are not guilty of police brutality, just like all people are not innocent, and we must learn to separate the bad from the good.
We have to find a healthy balance. There has to be more positive communication and engagement between the public, our local community leaders, and law enforcement. Understanding one another is key to being able to process what we all go through.
To that end, it would be good for government agencies to conduct a city-wide survey asking residents for ideas they feel would help protect them and their families. Door-t0- door outreach is vital as well. Whatever it is, something needs to be done NOW.
Morris Graham is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.
