Monroe is a violent community, with a spiraling crime rate that far exceeds state and national averages. By some estimates, our violent crime rates are 600% higher than the national average for cities our size.
Although it was reported last weekend, 8 people were the victims of gunshot wounds, six in the Trichell area and two in the new homes.
We’ve become so immune now that we’ve come to expect shootings as normal, and we don’t get concerned unless there is a death.
This level of crime devastates our community, destroys lives, and hampers economic growth.
Since most of the violent crimes relate to Districts 3, 4, and 5, we suggest that the Mayor and City Council take some bold actions to begin the long process of putting long-term solutions in place.
It begins first with a comprehensive and accurate study of the problem, complete with both short-term and long-term strategies to reduce the crime rate, improve the clearance rate, and reverse the growing trend of violence in our community.
City leaders have the authority to establish a commission of diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, public health officials, community leaders, victim’s advocates, and academic researchers. They should be tasked with conducting a comprehensive study of our city’s crime problem and developing both short-term and long-term strategies to dramatically reduce crime rates. The commission should include a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, public health experts, community leaders, victims’ advocates, and academic researchers. It must be empowered to access all relevant data and information to conduct a thorough analysis.
The commission should incorporate what is being done locally with strategies successfully applied in other cities to provide city leaders with a well-thought-out plan. The city should provide consultant fees to retain the services of consultants who have successfully developed similar plans for other cities to guide the local commission in its task and prepare final reports, graphics, and presentations.
The commission should be given a time frame to complete its task, perhaps six to nine months to complete its study and develop the comprehensive set of recommendations. These recommendations should include detailed implementation plans, cost estimates, and potential funding sources.
Monroe cannot afford to continue down our current path. The human toll is too great, and the very future of our city is at stake. We urge the City Council to act swiftly and decisively to establish this commission and commit to implementing its recommendations.
It’s better than simply offering our thoughts and prayers to shooting and murder victims.
Our community’s safety and prosperity depend on it.
