Although this is a couple weeks late, let me wish you a good 2015, because when it came to 2014 , you have to admit, things got rough here in Indy, particularly when it came to our homicide rate. As of December 31, 2014 we had 135 murders here in Indianapolis; one of the highest in a while.
And once again, what’s most annoying is by my last count, about 80 percent of the victims had adult criminal histories and about 90 percent of the suspects.
The city has spent a lot of time and money trying to address this issue this past year. We took steps to put more police on the streets, there was the “Your Life Matters” campaign, an infrastructure put in place for early childhood education. City Mosaic, a coalition of faith-based groups, has stepped up to intervene. And the Department of Public Safety has taken a systemic look at abandoned homes, mental health issues, and all the other factors that contribute to crime and violence. The Ten Point Coalition has been doing its job and a group of African-American attorneys have been reaching out to the community to teach young people their rights as well as their responsibilities when it comes to interacting with law enforcement.
Have you been out to Castleton Square Mall lately?
These knuckleheads, despite our best efforts, seem hell bent on shooting each other. I won’t get into the discussion on “Black on Black” violence because this conversation is not about race, but about behavior.
And if bad guys aren’t going to take the hint, or the help, to change their lifestyles then perhaps we let the “self-cleaning oven” run its course. In other words, we do what we can to help those who want to be helped, but let the rest of them take each other out of the gene pool, which to be frank, is probably the only good most of these guys will ever do society.
Don’t give me that look. You know darn well what I am talking about.
It may sound harsh, but how many victim mugshots did you see before you shrugged your shoulders, said “meh,” and went about your business? Our hearts all bleed and we feel for the families of victims like Nathan Trapuzzano, Dominique Allen, or many of the other victims of senseless violence. However, when you break down the numbers, we find they are the exception, not the rule.
The only regret I have is when these idiots decide to take each other out of the gene pool, unfortunately someone who should be helping propagate the species gets caught in the crossfire. And sadly enough, a productive member of society is forced to exit early.
Yes, all lives should matter, however when a mope (defined as a person of low intelligence, respect for the law with an extensive criminal past) kills another mope with a criminal record, all I can conclude is that there’s one less mope with a criminal record.
Like I said, it’s like a self-cleaning oven. I don’t get worked up when bad guys shuffle off this mortal coil. Nine out of 10 times they had it coming and have no one to blame but themselves and their bad behavior. In your heart, you know I’m right.
Happy 2015.
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is an attorney, political commentator and publisher of IndyPolitics.org. You can email comments to him at abdul@indypolitics.org.
