New Haven Independent

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 15, 2009 8:46 AM

This is the root of the problem.If we do something about this,Then maybe we can stop not all of the crime, But some of the crime.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/12/14/us/poll-unemployment.html#/7/

Posted by: Norton Street | December 15, 2009 9:47 AM

3/5s,
I think lack of jobs, opportunities, adequate services, and choices that have been present in American inner cities for nearly 80 years has, since the 60s, become the defining characteristic of inner cities. The lack of investment in our neighborhoods stems from a conscious decision made several decades ago to only invest in large scale developments by demolishing large areas and erecting large buildings, or by building on previously unbuilt land often in rural settings, which quickly developed further into suburbs. As a result of these decisions, inner cities across the country began to decay; they were filled with aging buildings, the poorest of the regions population and empty factories. The social and cultural isolation and degradation has since formed a sub culture that we have today.
I see this sub culture as the main source for crime, especially violent crime. While unemployment directly causes some robbery, burglary and mugging, I do not think it explains the overall issue of crime directly.
There is a sub culture that will not be addressed simply by flooding an area with jobs, too much degradation has occurred over several decades; perhaps this would have worked in the 60s, but things are different now, this country has created an enormous problem that can only be solved through drastic changes in our priorities, investment patterns and living, working, shopping arrangements.

Posted by: Seth P. | December 15, 2009 10:16 AM

The community approach to gun violence needs to shift drastically. People who live in the most violence plagued neighborhoods can immediately identify our young men who are teething on the brink of annihilation. An effort must be made to corral these young men in an effort to reach them before it is too late. We have to muster up the courage to meet them where they are. Ultimately, we may need to put ourselves in harms way to inspire change. This will take a concerted effort. It is great to see our Alders stepping up to the plate.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | December 15, 2009 11:03 AM

How many more times will there be a press conference like this, a headline and no results? No follow through? Are we preening or producing? This isn't about city programs. It's about values and respect, and a belief in the sanctity of life no matter how humble.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 15, 2009 12:19 PM

Norton Street
I agree with you. In fact a friend of mine in New York who hires people to work for him has a program that works like this. Now what he does is the young people who work for him that may get mix up in gangs and crime He has them on the graveyard shift. Now what he also makes them do is after they get off from work if they have children they must take them to school in the morning and must pick them up after school. They must also attend pta meetings and reportcard night. This is written in there contract and they make very good money,In fact I have some young people from here working for him. He does this so that by the time they do all of this and get some sleep they are two tired to do anything. He told me that he calls the school to see if they are coming in to check on there children. If they don't do this they will be out of a job. So I agree with you that drastic changes in our priorities, investment patterns and living, working, shopping arrangements are need.

Posted by: tom Harris | December 15, 2009 6:29 PM

I think that neighborhoods need to know their community leaders all year round not just when the death and carnage of our misguided youth becomes of epic proportions in our cities..

I genially applaud anyone willing to help stop this
genocide in the black communities, however elected leaders should be held to a higher standard.

I think that the problem is a clear lack of leadership in the communities and homes . The inmates are running the asylum .

Posted by: notimon | December 15, 2009 8:07 PM

The jobs for this generation is a great idea, if companies and businesses are willing to hire felons. I also suggest the New Haven School System add as a part of their curriculum, anger management and conflict resolution classes. Make them requirements to graduate to the 5th grade from the 4th, then from 8th to 9th, and in order to graduate from High school you must pass either anger management and or conflict resolution. I also suggest if students are suspended for fighting, for ex: 3 day suspension require you spend time with the parents and students that had altercation in mediation for 1 of the 3 day suspension then finish out the 2 days and then you can return to classes. Lets face it, most of our young people are having a hard time managing their anger, which leads to these crimes because they dont know how to resolve the conflict, so they at the very least need to have the tools. Just a suggestion

Posted by: Seth P. | December 16, 2009 3:32 PM

Notimon,

Those classes were available in the early 1990's. What happened to them is a mystery. Kids went on field trips too! This was all done away with. Where and how, only a few know, but they aren't telling.

All in all, great suggestions. It is thought like that which is need on the BOE. People must be held accountable for their actions, and paretns should be responsible for their children.