The political theater in Chicago is as predictable as ever, full of grandstanding and hollow rhetoric. The latest act features Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is adamantly hesitant about any form of federal intervention to curb crime in the Windy City. When former President Trump suggested that Chicago might need a stronger approach to law enforcement, Johnson responded with a resounding no. Instead, he champions the usual progressive mantra: investment in communities rather than law enforcement presence.
Mayor Johnson insists that Chicagoans want more investments in affordable housing, mental health care, and education. The claim is that these investments will magically reduce crime and turn the city into a utopia of peace and safety. But, let’s take a moment to consider how well that strategy has worked so far. Chicago public schools have a staggering $10 billion budget, with $1.5 billion coming from the federal government. One would think that’s a significant investment in the community. Yet, the return on this investment is alarmingly poor.
Despite the hefty funding, 40% of students in Chicago schools are chronically absent, missing more than 10% of the school year. That’s practically an entire month of school down the drain. It’s like buying the finest orchestra but having most of the musicians not show up for practice. Meanwhile, graduation rates supposedly remain high, a classic case of lowering the bar to artificially boost success stories. One must wonder what those diplomas are really worth when the students are nowhere to be found.
The notion that you can’t “incarcerate your way out of crime” might have some merit, but there also needs to be accountability and a firm stance against lawlessness. When cities adopt policies that are soft on crime, they send a message that the rules are flexible. The cold, hard truth is that a stronger law enforcement presence deters crime. It creates an environment where criminal activities come with real consequences, making communities safer in the long run.
While major investments in communities are not without value, they should be complemented by robust law enforcement. A city cannot thrive if its residents live in fear of crime. What Chicago needs is not just more funding, but smarter spending and tougher enforcement. The argument that simply throwing money at problems will solve them has been proven ineffective time and again.
In conclusion, perhaps it’s time for the leadership of Chicago to admit that their current strategy isn’t working. Embracing a balanced approach that includes investing in people while ensuring they are safe from crime might be the authentic way forward. After all, you can’t build thriving communities on a foundation of rose-tinted dreams and neglected realities.
