In the South Side of Chicago, few people seemed braced for President Donald Trump's troops. But many here would tell you about another battle - one for the souls of the young.
We drove through neighborhoods notorious for their levels of violent crime. In one, Bronzeville, we went to the spot where seven people were shot and wounded in a drive-by attack last weekend.
It was a block from Chicago Police HQ. The casualties were among at least 58 people shot, eight fatally, across the city over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Rob White, a coach to young men trying to reverse their slide into gangs, told us: You can imagine how the residents feel like with this [stuff] happening right up under their nose, referring to the attack that took place close to a giant, fortified police building.
On Friday, Trump announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to combat crime in an unspecified US city. Mr White's colleague, Kanoya Ali, countered Trump's assertion with pride, stating, The troops are already here. We are the troops.
The Labor Day crime numbers were cited by Trump earlier this week as part of his threat to militarize Chicago. He described the National Guard intervention as necessary for tackling out of control crime. However, city officials have voiced strong opposition, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker labeling the proposal as an action by an unhinged president.
Contrary to perceptions, violent crime in Chicago has fallen significantly over the past two years. The homicide rate dropped by a third in the first half of the year compared to last year, based on statistics from the Council on Criminal Justice. Yet, despite improvements, crime rates still exceed average levels in many US cities.
Superintendent Larry Snelling from the Chicago Police Department expressed concerns about coordinated efforts needed for any National Guard presence, asserting, They don't have police powers. They don't have arrest powers.
In local classrooms, community leaders like Rob White have been working to educate and direct young individuals away from violence, emphasizing that military intervention will not solve underlying issues. According to residents of Canaryville, however, a different sentiment prevails, indicating significant community support for military assistance.
Critics, including local activists, highlight that federal funding cuts for crucial crime prevention programs have exacerbated the situation, blaming national policies for the very issues the President aims to address with military force.
We drove through neighborhoods notorious for their levels of violent crime. In one, Bronzeville, we went to the spot where seven people were shot and wounded in a drive-by attack last weekend.
It was a block from Chicago Police HQ. The casualties were among at least 58 people shot, eight fatally, across the city over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Rob White, a coach to young men trying to reverse their slide into gangs, told us: You can imagine how the residents feel like with this [stuff] happening right up under their nose, referring to the attack that took place close to a giant, fortified police building.
On Friday, Trump announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to combat crime in an unspecified US city. Mr White's colleague, Kanoya Ali, countered Trump's assertion with pride, stating, The troops are already here. We are the troops.
The Labor Day crime numbers were cited by Trump earlier this week as part of his threat to militarize Chicago. He described the National Guard intervention as necessary for tackling out of control crime. However, city officials have voiced strong opposition, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker labeling the proposal as an action by an unhinged president.
Contrary to perceptions, violent crime in Chicago has fallen significantly over the past two years. The homicide rate dropped by a third in the first half of the year compared to last year, based on statistics from the Council on Criminal Justice. Yet, despite improvements, crime rates still exceed average levels in many US cities.
Superintendent Larry Snelling from the Chicago Police Department expressed concerns about coordinated efforts needed for any National Guard presence, asserting, They don't have police powers. They don't have arrest powers.
In local classrooms, community leaders like Rob White have been working to educate and direct young individuals away from violence, emphasizing that military intervention will not solve underlying issues. According to residents of Canaryville, however, a different sentiment prevails, indicating significant community support for military assistance.
Critics, including local activists, highlight that federal funding cuts for crucial crime prevention programs have exacerbated the situation, blaming national policies for the very issues the President aims to address with military force.
