The gun violence on our streets is nearly out of control. We learned long ago that mass incarceration is not the solution, and recently enacted gun laws have minimal effect, but the solution is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- We need more uniformed, restrained, well-paid and well-trained police officers on the streets, engaged in community policing and being highly visible.
- We must better educate the public to look for warning signs in friends and family members of mental health problems. We must provide much, much better treatment for those problems and train more qualified doctors and counselors. Eliminate the stigma of mental health problems: “You go to a doctor when your arm is broken; you should see a doctor when your brain is broken. Feeling depressed or left out to the point of considering acting out in a violent way? See a mental health doctor!” Depression, anger issues and all the other mental health ailments can be treated but only if those who are ill seek help.
- Provide more summer and after-school programs and activities. Perhaps set up competitions in chess, creative crafts and similar activities, with reasonable cash prizes.
The primary purpose of government is to protect its people, and what we are doing is not working.
I see that since I first sent the substance of this piece to my extensive list of police chiefs, several large cities have urged and/or implemented critical parts. Are such solutions costly? Sure, they are, but they are far less costly than the harm, medical costs and incalculable damage to individuals, families and communities that will continue if we do not implement them!
Ken Abraham
Former prosecutor and founder of Citizens for Criminal JUSTICE
Dover
