Highlights
“I’M SICK OF BEING QUIET ABOUT IT! It needs to stop!!! They’re killing a piece of me with each bit of tragic news.”
“The system continues to fail us. We are not safe anymore, not even the members of the service,” (NYC police widow).
The economic vitality of any urban area depends on people willing to invest in their cities. Violence destroys anyone’s allegiance with devastating consequences.
Author
I get emails and read social media posts from people expressing their exasperation with violence and what it’s done to their lives. What’s below is from a family member. Names were changed to protect her identity.
We both lived in Baltimore. We were both bullish about Baltimore. But the location doesn’t matter, per research, all urban residents are profoundly affected by crime.
Every day I read essays from progressive publications calling for leniency for criminal offenders. The overwhelming percentage of those addressing crime policies are progressive. They uniformly approach the crime issue as a moral crusade condemning those who want justice for victims and accountability for offenders.
And then I get another email or read another heart rendering story about people victimized or moving or refusing to even visit a high-crime city.
I agree with my family member, we both “loved” Baltimore. The economic vitality of any urban area depends on people willing to invest in their cities. Crime destroys anyone’s allegiance to a metropolitan area.
Per the FBI and Gallup, violence is exploding in America. Fear of crime is at an all-time high. Firearm and security sales are skyrocketing. People are moving from cities. For high crime communities, they are devastated by fear and the loss of jobs and places to shop.
Violence Affects Most People (edited for brevity)
Research shows that violence indirectly impacts most Californians. Though relatively few may experience or witness a violent act, a large majority of surveyed Californians reported having an “experience of violence” (EV). These included hearing gunshots in their neighborhood, encountering a sidewalk memorial to a violent death or learning about a violent event through their social network. The research was published in the journal Injury Epidemiology. See Violence Impacts Most People.
A Growing Crime Problem For At Least Half Of American Households
Per Gallup, if 30 percent of urban-household residents (big and small cities) were victimized by crime in 2021 (up from 22 percent) and if 28 percent (up from 20 percent) of households say a computer hacker stole personal, credit card or financial information, it indicates a growing crime problem for at least half of American households.
Conclusion
Like my family member, violence in Baltimore and hundreds of cities throughout America is simply exploding with profound implications for a city’s tax base, economic development, jobs, school scores, mental health, places to shop, and overall vitality.
When I recently appeared on a national television show, I was asked about remedies. I focused on accountability based on proactive policing as the only modality with a research base indicating that it reduces crime. In another article, I wrote about mayors now demanding more arrests.
Society wants accountability for criminal offenders before it’s too late. If victims can’t get accountability, they take matters into their own hands, resulting in the epidemic of shootings we are now experiencing.
I’m tired of reading about the immense suffering of people affected by crime. I’m tired of the devastation of our cities. I’m tired of progressives making excuses for criminal behavior. I’m tired of reading letters like the ones below.
A Family Member’s Letter (published after the general manager of a very popular Italian restaurant was murdered)
This latest news of yet another Baltimore killing breaks my heart.
My grandfather had a restaurant in Baltimore before it was the “Inner Harbor.” He fed the men on the ships and if they didn’t have payment he accepted trades.
John and I bought our first home together in Baltimore near beautiful Fort McHenry.
I lived there during the riots with a brand new baby scared to death when my husband had to work past the city curfew.
We tried public school for Charlie but I got tired of pulling up for pick up to find 4-5 police cars (multiple times) for problems with kids bringing weapons since the school had low attendance kids were bused in from all over the city. They had weapons to PROTECT themselves. Children!
Crime was so bad the police weren’t able to respond to calls.
One time the kids and I walked to a local pet store. In under 30 seconds, it was swarmed by students (yes uniformed students) all stealing at the same time while we tried to purchase fish food.
I’ve worked in Baltimore after college for almost 4-5 yrs. Had a photoshoot with Len the Plumber among other fun things like creating billboards that appeared on Interstate 95 and around the city.
We attended the GrandPrix races, enjoyed many concerts and fun nights out.
When I was single I went to Louie’s in Mt Vernon and then it became a cocktail bar. We went to both Hammerjacks locations to dance ALL NIGHT LONG before going out to breakfast.
I earned my Grad school degree at the University of BALTIMORE!
Cops are killed NOW. RIP officer Hawley. I PRAY FOR HER FAMILY!
Citizens on Patrol, SHOT DEAD!
Senior citizen KILLED IN HER CHURCH!
Business owners robbed, beaten and MURDERED in daylight.
I loved Baltimore when my mom worked there as a teen when I could drive I’d meet her for lunch.
We’d go to Trinacias for Italian food and so did John’s family before we even knew one another!
In college, I hung out at the Owl Bar and the Brewers Art. Roamed the Walters Art gallery and BMA.
Went to Artscape, like religiously. Ate at Vacarro’s after outdoor movie night in Little Italy.
I LOVED BALTIMORE.
I OPENED the Hard Rock Cafe with my sister back when we were in college. I walked to my car with up to $400 in tips IN MY UNIFORM at 2 am sometimes and felt safe. NOT NOW!
I’ve loved the architecture museums the live music walking to restaurants and grocery stores.
This is personal. It’s like they’ve killed A PART OF ME!
We just celebrated John’s parents’ 50th at LaScala!
Now this happens!!!! 
This is a non-chronological brain dump and I’m feeling emotional. I’M SICK OF BEING QUIET ABOUT IT! It needs to stop!!! They’re killing a piece of me with each bit of tragic news.
We need to wake up and realize that murderers are on the loose and they’re killing people, corporate relationships, personal relationships and we’re ALL affected by each murder.
Any murder in the city is a terrorist attack against the HUMAN RACE.
VOTE FOR CHANGE!
See More
See more articles on crime and justice at Crime in America.
Most Dangerous Cities/States/Countries at Most Dangerous Cities.
US Crime Rates at Nationwide Crime Rates.
National Offender Recidivism Rates at Offender Recidivism.
An Overview Of Data On Mental Health at Mental Health And Crime.
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