In the ever-entertaining arena of American politics, President Trump once again stirred the pot with his plans to curb crime in some of the nation’s most afflicted cities, like Chicago. Those unfamiliar with the stakes might think that being labeled as a “hell hole” by the President is a time for introspection, but sadly, the leadership appears more comfortable critiquing Trump than critiquing their own lackluster strategies. Clearly, the President’s deployment of the National Guard and federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., yielded a significant reduction in crime, but that doesn’t seem to impress certain state leaders who are more concerned about political appearances.
In the minds of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago’s Mayor, deploying the National Guard is akin to adopting a scorched-earth policy. They argue that federal soldiers on urban streets are not the solution. Governor Pritzker, doing his best impression of a law-and-order aficionado, claims there’s no emergency warranting such measures. One wonders what threshold of chaos he’s waiting to see. Meanwhile, the nation watches, wondering why some of these leaders act as if prioritizing citizens’ safety is rocket science.
Let’s not forget California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who prides himself on deploying “suppression teams” instead. He’s opposed to “militarization” of cities, implying that a few beefed-up traffic cops could do the work of highly trained federal officers. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “We know crime’s an issue, but you keep your solutions to yourself!” It’s clear: if crime-fighting were an Olympic sport, some folks would rather not make it to the podium lest they risk offending their political sensibilities.
Yet, against the backdrop of political drama, D.C.’s numbers tell a different story. Since the federal surge, there’s been a jaw-dropping reduction in carjackings by 87%, and over 140 illegal firearms were taken off the streets. Mayor Bowser might have initially balked at the idea, but even she cannot deny the results. Cities like Chicago might want to take notes before their reputation for crime becomes a staple in history books.
Lastly, US Attorney Janine Piro’s recent remarks underscore the complexities of crime and punishment in the nation’s capital. The D.C. law sometimes treats youthful offenders with kid gloves, which might have been adorable if it weren’t so dangerous. Her comments reflect a harsh reality — pampering the perpetrators offers no solace to the victims. This is a reminder that perhaps it’s time for some local leaders to put safety above politics and step into the 21st century of effective governance. In a battle against violent crime, the move to side with law, order, and proven tactics is more than just common sense; it’s a civic duty worth embracing.
