As Crime Surges: It Is Time for a Wakeup Call?

It is time we recognize crime as a crisis!

Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Have we reached a breaking point? Well, it is finally time we stop dancing around the issue that is affecting so many. Regardless of your race, gender, culture, or background, this is an issue that can affect you or the ones you love, at any given time, and that issue is crime. How we got here is not that complicated: we tried to defund our police, victimize criminals, and continue to not prosecute those same criminals. The corporate media and politicians refuse to talk about it because they want to play politics. This is not about politics, it is about keeping our communities, our schools, and our citizens safe. This crime surge is not inevitable; it is a choice, and through better policy, we can keep our streets and communities safer.  

Recent Events in Jacksonville 

First, looking to address the recent events that have happened right in our backyard.  On August 26, a gunman entered a Dollar General store in the heart of Jacksonville and killed three Black people.  To start, this violence and racism are not tolerated, and this individual does not represent the values of the community of Jacksonville.  Second, our hearts go out to the victims and their families, but this should never have happened.  The shooter was “Baker Acted”, or placed under a temporary psychiatric hold, involuntarily in the past.  However, in the State of Florida, these records do not show up on any background checks if the person does not receive any “treatment”.  Any signs of mental illness should be reported on any background checks and go on someone’s permanent record.  This type of hatred and violence does not represent our communities and we should be united on this issue, not divided.  Thankfully, the Jacksonville community is a resilient one, that will come together and condemn this horrible act of terrorism, and racism that has no place anywhere in our society.  

New Security Measures for Duval School Sporting Events, After Violent Fights and Gun Pulled at Varsity Football Game  

A little over a month ago, during a varsity football game between Mandarin and First Coast High Schools, violent fights occurred and even a gun was pulled. It ended in the 15-year-old, who had a gun, being shot by police and the game being canceled. Now because of this, new security measures are being implemented, such as not being allowed to leave your seat unless you are getting food or using the restroom.  

After being asked about these new security measures by First Coast News, DCPS Police Chief Gregory Burton said, “We do have security plans in place for every game and we adjust that based on the information we receive, and those plans are actually very robust for every game.” Burton added that if both students and parents see something, they should say something. 

Email from Principal Turner outlining new football game expectations. (Eagle Talon)

So what happened and how did this happen? First Coast High School student, Maliayah Berry spoke about the incident.  

“The way it happened was very tragic,” Berry said. “A simple game for a going away coach turned into something horrific and dangerous for a lot of people. There were little children out there who could’ve gotten hurt or even shot as well as the rest of us there.  Although the police were there, I don’t think they were fully prepared for the unexpected.”  

“Some of the people who came to the game made it unsafe with their drama that they brought to try and ‘resolve’ it and ended horribly,” Berry added. “I think crime nationally is bad and a worrying subject that we the people should be doing everything in our power to not let take over our world.” 

We know that we are doing something wrong when we cannot even enjoy our favorite sporting events without the threat of violence. These sporting events are supposed to help us escape from the harsh reality of the problems we face today and now that space can be the target of violence.  

How to Actually Solve the Problem of Crime and What We Need to Accept

How do we stop crime? Well, it is quite simple, to be honest. First, we need to start by addressing the issue and stop playing power politics. Second, we need to provide additional funding to our police departments across this country to provide better training and as a result, produce better police officers. We need to end radical policies in our big cities, like bail reform, and not prosecuting criminals. Finally, we need to acknowledge that we have a mental health problem in this country, and it needs to be addressed.