'Gangs of Chicago'
Gang Violence: A National Crime Putting Many Youths Six Feet Under
Anna Zak
Issue date: 3/16/10 Section: Scene
You wake up to your usual daily routine. Breakfast in the morning then off to school for a grueling day of classes. The school bell rings and it is time to head back home. You do not expect that this will be the last time you will ever hear that school bell or walk down the school hallway and see your friends.
This was exactly the day that Derrion Albert experienced. Albert was a 16-year-old Honor Roll high school student that died in September of 2009 in a gang related fight. Albert was walking home in a Chicago neighborhood from Fenger High School when he became an innocent bystander to a gang fight and was hit with a 2-by-4. Albert later died in the hospital. Unfortunately, Albert is not the only youth to be in danger from gang related violence.
Gang violence is a nationwide crime that affects thousands of individuals throughout the country. According to the website for the Violence Prevention Institute, 100 percent of cities that have a population greater than 250,000 report gang activity. Cities with less than 250,000 people also have high percentages of gang activity.
According to familyfirstaid.org, from the years 2001 to 2006, rural cities rose in gang violence by 15 percent - and the trend is continuing.
Chicago Mayor, Richard Daley, is proposing several new plans to help curb gang violence. Daley plans on adding more police officers at schools during dismissals and increase funding for after-school programs. Daley also plans on using $1 million from the city's parking meter revenue for an after-school jobs program.
Chicago Police report on their web site that more than 40 youths under age 18 have been murdered in Chicago this past year and at least 298 students enrolled in Chicago public schools have been victims in shootings since September of 2008.
A new plan, Critics of Renaissance 2010, is a plan that officials have implemented to invigorate and improve education in the city of Chicago will soon be enforced.
"The more aware the community is, the better prepared it is to deal with gang problems," said Jody P. Weis, Superintendent of Chicago Police, on the Chicago Police web site.
The Chicago Police Department sponsors workshops on gangs and gang awareness throughout the City. Anyone interested in arranging a gang workshop in their community should call the Prevention Services at 773-747-5490.
"The best defense against gangs begins in the home," said Weis on the web site. "By directing your children into constructive activities and by knowing their friends, parents can help protect their children and their communities."
This was exactly the day that Derrion Albert experienced. Albert was a 16-year-old Honor Roll high school student that died in September of 2009 in a gang related fight. Albert was walking home in a Chicago neighborhood from Fenger High School when he became an innocent bystander to a gang fight and was hit with a 2-by-4. Albert later died in the hospital. Unfortunately, Albert is not the only youth to be in danger from gang related violence.
Gang violence is a nationwide crime that affects thousands of individuals throughout the country. According to the website for the Violence Prevention Institute, 100 percent of cities that have a population greater than 250,000 report gang activity. Cities with less than 250,000 people also have high percentages of gang activity.
According to familyfirstaid.org, from the years 2001 to 2006, rural cities rose in gang violence by 15 percent - and the trend is continuing.
Chicago Mayor, Richard Daley, is proposing several new plans to help curb gang violence. Daley plans on adding more police officers at schools during dismissals and increase funding for after-school programs. Daley also plans on using $1 million from the city's parking meter revenue for an after-school jobs program.
Chicago Police report on their web site that more than 40 youths under age 18 have been murdered in Chicago this past year and at least 298 students enrolled in Chicago public schools have been victims in shootings since September of 2008.
A new plan, Critics of Renaissance 2010, is a plan that officials have implemented to invigorate and improve education in the city of Chicago will soon be enforced.
"The more aware the community is, the better prepared it is to deal with gang problems," said Jody P. Weis, Superintendent of Chicago Police, on the Chicago Police web site.
The Chicago Police Department sponsors workshops on gangs and gang awareness throughout the City. Anyone interested in arranging a gang workshop in their community should call the Prevention Services at 773-747-5490.
"The best defense against gangs begins in the home," said Weis on the web site. "By directing your children into constructive activities and by knowing their friends, parents can help protect their children and their communities."
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