Chicago's Crime Fight: Are Troops the Solution?

Chicago has been grappling with violent crime for decades. Delphine Cherry knows this better than most. She lost her daughter in 1992 and her son in 2012 to gun violence. She moved her family to a suburb hoping for safety, but tragedy struck again.

The Debate Over the National Guard

The idea of sending in the National Guard to help with crime has been widely debated. Some people think it's a good idea, while others, like Cherry, are not so sure. She believes that troops might not be the best solution. They are trained for combat, not community policing. Plus, they might not understand the local situation.

National Guard in Other Cities

In other cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., troops were used in different ways.

Los Angeles: Guarded federal property and helped with immigration raids.
Washington, D.C.: Patrolled tourist areas and even picked up trash.

But did this really help with crime? It's hard to say.

Chicago's Alternative Approach

Chicago's leaders have a different idea. They want more funding for prevention programs instead of troops. They argue that cutting federal funding for these programs doesn't make sense if the goal is to reduce crime. After all, last year Chicago saw a drop in homicides compared to previous years.

Voices of Those Affected

People who have lost loved ones to violence, like Cherry and Trevon Bosley, also have doubts. Bosley's brother was killed in 2006, and his case remains unsolved. He believes that better funding and resources for communities could make a real difference. He thinks that troops and police showing up after a crime has occurred doesn't help prevent it.

The Complexity of the Issue

So, is sending in the National Guard the answer to Chicago's crime problem? It's a complex issue with no easy solutions. Maybe it's time to think outside the box and focus on prevention and community support.