Americans in all 50 states are eagerly anticipating a return-to-normalcy this summer as the COVID pandemic recedes into history, but many are concerned over the spike in violent crime in major cities across the nation.
Graffiti is a CRIME — and this vulgar language that was written on the arches at Washington Square Park ruins the park for everyone in the neighborhood. @NYPDDetectives will find those responsible. If you have information on this incident, contact @NYPDTips at #800577TIPS. pic.twitter.com/ZplNhPznAo
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 12, 2021
The rise in violence brings back fears from last summer, when riots in New York City, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and other places erupted following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Chaos in Manhattan: Violent mob run riot again in Washington Square Park and party promoter behind out-of-control raves tells fed-up residents to LEAVE if they don't like the unrest https://t.co/fA7dvYkhDo
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) June 13, 2021
Police use physical force to enforce new Washington Square Park curfew on Saturday https://t.co/HDIXErN9UD pic.twitter.com/X7CPc8Pl2j
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) June 6, 2021
NYC crime: Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village violence continues as 10 p.m. curfew lifted. #RepealNYBailReformLaws https://t.co/b2wCTv3Pii
— Blue Lives Matter (@RetiredNYCPD) June 13, 2021
14 people were shot in downtown Austin, Texas over the weekend.
Shootings in Chicago are up triple digits in some neighborhoods.
“We owe it to all of our residents, in every neighborhood, to bring peace and vibrancy back,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters.
“This is something we have never seen before,” Alfredo Ramirez III, the director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, said. “Now they are going to see something they’ve never seen before: They’re going to see the law enforcement community united, working as one.”
“I’m very concerned that as people return to work, there are going to be confrontations,” added one business owner. “We’re excited to reopen. But we need to make sure that everybody downtown feels safe.”
NEW: An arrest was made in the Austin shooting that wounded 14 people after gunfire broke out between two parties that were fighting, hitting bystanders.
Austin's mayor: "One thing is clear: greater access to firearms does not equal greater public safety."https://t.co/SKbfASvvCe
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) June 12, 2021
Read the full report here.
CHICAGO SPIRALS: 100 People Arrested, 13 Police Injured as Looters Target Windy City’s Tourism District
More than 100 people were arrested overnight Monday and at least 13 officers were injured as hundreds of looters targeted shops in Chicago’s downtown tourism district.
“This was straight up, felony criminal conduct,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “This was an assault on our city.”
“Those arrested were expected to face charges including looting, disorderly conduct, battery against police. Lightfoot said that the city has activated a neighborhood protection program,” reports the Associated Press. “The unrest began shortly after midnight and anti-police graffiti was seen in the area of the Magnificent Mile, which is one of Chicago’s most-visited tourist attractions. Hours earlier, dozens of people had faced off with police after officers shot and wounded a person Sunday in the Englewood neighborhood, located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away.”
Bridges raised in Chicago to prevent downtown access after widespread looting breaks out https://t.co/g8x1YPpW4G pic.twitter.com/lLeVPubknE
— The Hill (@thehill) August 10, 2020
🚨 “LOOTING AND CHAOS” 🚨
Do you feel safer with radical Democrats are in charge? https://t.co/W7XcGw3dRM— Marc Lotter (@marc_lotter) August 10, 2020
Read the full report here.
CHICAGO SPIRALS: 13 People Shot, 3 Murdered Within 24 Hours in the Windy City
The plague of gun violence sweeping Chicago sadly continued this week when 13 people were shot and three murdered within a 24 hour period in the nation’s third largest city.
“Thirteen people were shot, three of them fatally, Wednesday in Chicago. One woman was killed and another was wounded in South Shore in the day’s latest fatal attack. About 8:50 p.m., they were in the 7800 block of South Cornell Avenue when they heard shots and felt pain, Chicago police said,” reports the Chicago Sun Times.
A day earlier, 15 people were shot and 2 killed.
“A 28-year-old was struck in the head and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she died, police said. The other woman, 35, was shot in the foot and refused medical treatment, police said,” adds the newspaper. “Wednesday afternoon, a man was killed in Lawndale on the West Side.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot routinely blames her city’s gun violence on neighboring states and the Trump administration; claiming the President has “no interest” in protecting Chicago residents.
Read the full report here.