In the last month, Chicago’s record-breaking violence has managed to get equal coverage along with the Coronavirus. The sheer number of shootings and killings have been mind-boggling but the attention-grabbing stories have been the number of babies, toddlers, and young teens that have been shot down. Providing some gruesome heart-grabbing television and newspaper headlines, not only in the Chicago area but all across the Country.

By most estimates, a full one-third of Chicago’s homicides are unintended targets. Gang shooters are letting go at half-court and into vehicles and parks and gatherings with very little or no thought about the innocence who are among the victims, a list that is growing more day after day. The feverish push to control territories and the lucrative drug trade has set off gang wars that have reduced City leaders to babbling and knee jerk excuses that have finally been noticed by the mainstream press. Mayor Lightfoot has received very little criticism for her failed strategies to take control of the out of control mayhem in her city.

If we look back at Rahm Emanuel’s 8 years as mayor, the press constantly held his feet to the fire for his violence control strategies. Karen Lewis, the President of the Chicago Teachers Union even went as far as calling him “Mayor MURDER.” Imagine what she would nail Lightfoot with today “Mayor Murder Incorporated” would probably fit nicely. This morning the Chicago Tribune in a scathing editorial stated Mayor Lightfoots efforts to control violence have been inadequate (myself I would have added GROSSLY)  AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AS A CANDIDATE, PROMISED TO ADDRESS CRIME THROUGH A SPECIAL AGENCY, BUT ONLY CREATED MORE BUREAUCRACY.  There it finally happened! holding politicians accountable.

Last week after another weekend of unprecedented slaughter,  Chicago’s Top Cop announced a new attempt to take on the gangs. Don’t believe for one minute he didn’t get the wink and nod from the Mayor, it has her written all over it.  See the headline below.  Chicago’s new specialized unit will consist of officers who will be deployed in neighborhoods to participate in community service projects, such as ATTENDING PRAYER CIRCLES, PEACE, AND NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP EFFORTS.

This from a guy whose goal was to keep Chicago’s murders in 2020 at 300. We are now at 386 and are on pace for over 700 if the current trend continues. Imagine if we applied this strategy to NERO playing the fiddle while Rome burned. Chicago’s cops will be praying and cleaning up the neighborhoods while Chicago’s citizens are shooting and killing and being killed. Those cops in those prayer circles had better pray hard while they are there because they are going to need all the help they can get.

What’s happening right now to a once-proud great City, indeed once called “The City of Big Shoulders” is it’s being tested like no other time in its great history. How will its leaders respond? I’m going to quote two Kennedys, both U.S. Senators, one who is deceased of course and needs very little introduction, the late Bobby Kennedy and brother of President Kennedy, the other a very little known Senator serving today in the U.S Senate from Louisiana. Back when Bobby Kennedy was the Attorney General of the United States he quoted a phrase that is still used today. EVERY SOCIETY GETS THE KIND OF CRIMINAL IT DESERVES: WHAT IS EQUALLY TRUE IS THAT EVERY COMMUNITY  GETS THE TYPE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IT INSISTS ON.” Every politician in the State, and most especially Chicago should contemplate those words. Which is it going to be, both for the criminal it deserves and the Law enforcement it insists on?

A few days ago Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana told a nationwide audience that “CHICAGO IS THE LARGEST OUTDOOR SHOOTING RANGE IN AMERICA”. Who the hell is going to argue with that? He further stated” TO KILL A CHILD YOU MUST BE A NIHILIST GOON WITH NO VALUES WHATSOEVER. BUT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DEFUND THE POLICE, WHEN WE REFUSE TO FIX OUR SCHOOLS, AND WE UNDERMINE THE FAMILY UNIT.” In my opinion, Chicago needs help. Chicago needs federal help. Chicago needs federal agents to work with Chicago’s cops. Chicago needs Federal Charges, Federal Courts, Judges, and Federal Sentencing. Prayer circles, cleaning up neighborhoods, and delivering food to the needy may have a future at another time. It’s time to listen to the two Kennedys. Both have quotes worth listening too. Politics aside, how many more will be slaughtered before a leader emerges and gets it?