Take Back the Streets Detroit Style: April 2011

This was a new show I watched about the Detroit Police Department and a gang squad they established to combat gangs in their areas. I had no clue how bad the economy had hit this area, they currently have one of the highest unemployment rates at 15%. With so many people being unemployed even the officers who have also grown up in the area know that keeping crimes down will be a challenge. Most of the officers who are familiar with these area said it is very easy for the young kids to turn to the streets and look at alternatives such as selling drugs or committing crimes. The lack of jobs affects so many aspects of people lives and one of the ways they know to make money is doing it through criminal activities. Unfortunately many of these young kids get involved in these gangs and they have no clue what they are being mixed up in. For many there is no other choice but to join a gang.

Although law enforcement is doing what they can to combat crime, unfortunately it is a much harder task than just forming specialized units. There are more criminals than cops and that is just a fact. It is impossible for police agencies to outwit the criminals when there are so many hands in the pot stirring it. There are a lot of political leashes that hold them back from what needs to be accomplished. One being funding and the lack of support that they receive is appalling, it just makes no sense why there is never enough money to support these agencies who need it most. When we break down how our government spends our money it is hard to understand why there is never enough money for what I would consider to be essential programs, maybe once the crime hits the areas of some of these who control the money they will think differently then.