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In light of today’s meeting about the National Guard, here are 15 US cities with higher homicide rates than Chicago.
Violence in Chicago is a serious problem. To address it, we need to rely on data, not scare tactics and sensationalism.
Violence in Chicago is a serious problem. To address it, we need to rely on data, not scare tactics and sensationalism.
Chicago’s not unique in seeing a troubling rise in violence this summer. Homicide rates across the country have increased related to covid-19. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/upshot/murders-rising-crime-coronavirus.amp.html
Across the country, gun violence is a serious issue that needs to be urgently addressed. Every life lost is a tragedy.
But Chicago’s not a unicorn. We should look at what strategies researchers have proven most effective in other cities.
It’s not the National Guard.
But Chicago’s not a unicorn. We should look at what strategies researchers have proven most effective in other cities.
It’s not the National Guard.
When we talk about solutions, we need to start with the right questions. Why is violence happening? Why is it happening now? What evidence-based models can we implement?
Let’s start with why is violence happening.
Chicago has the highest unemployment rate for black youth in the US’ ten largest metros.
Nearly 90% of Chicago’s working age black teenagers and more than half of those in their early twenties are unemployed.
Chicago has the highest unemployment rate for black youth in the US’ ten largest metros.
Nearly 90% of Chicago’s working age black teenagers and more than half of those in their early twenties are unemployed.
This is made worse by the pandemic. Unemployment rates on the South and West sides have soared.
At risk of stating the obvious: these unemployment rates aren’t because black youth don’t want jobs.
The city’s youth employment initiative turned down more than 160,000 job seekers between 2014-2017 due to inadequate funding.
That accounts for about 60% of applicants.
The city’s youth employment initiative turned down more than 160,000 job seekers between 2014-2017 due to inadequate funding.
That accounts for about 60% of applicants.
Now let’s talk about potential solutions.
In other US cities, researchers have had success in decreasing violence by providing cognitive behavioral therapy and job training programs.
In other US cities, researchers have had success in decreasing violence by providing cognitive behavioral therapy and job training programs.
That’s why I’ve called for hearings on an innovative violence prevention model in Chicago.
Early results have been promising:
57% were employed full-time within 20 months.
40% of participants were less likely to be shot or killed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wbez.org/amp/stories/uchicago-touts-early-numbers-on-anti-violence-program/6338779d-261e-475d-839f-7d92b4513f2a
Early results have been promising:
57% were employed full-time within 20 months. 40% of participants were less likely to be shot or killed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wbez.org/amp/stories/uchicago-touts-early-numbers-on-anti-violence-program/6338779d-261e-475d-839f-7d92b4513f2a
