Cieslewicz Pulls A Giuliani in Meadowood

Madison violent crime in 1991 (the year the mayor cited)  was almost one half the national rate.  Now, 2007, it is almost equal to the national rate. (Former NYC Mayor Giuliani did no better a job in lowering crime than the mayors of many other major cities. Shifting demographics was mostly responsible for lowered crime nationally starting in 1992.)

While virtually every city in the country had a significant drop in crime since the peak in the 1990's Madison has not.

There is a reason, beyond the control of the mayor and the Madison Police Department:

• Madison has had a significant growth in poverty, which fuels crime.

However:

• To portray that Madison is 'safe' when violent crime is growing is deceptive, and prevents us from getting to real solutions.
• To ignore the vast growth in poverty only worsens the situation.

Once we get past the wonkish numbers debate, the public, especially those living in neighborhoods impacted by rising crime, want answers and solutions, not studies, and not "We will get back to you."

Solutions for Madison neighborhoods are available, they are available now. As one Meadwood neighborhood noted: crime and poverty is a higher priority for ordinary people than trolleys.

The good news is the neighbors have the values and the will to fight for their community. The question is will their city provide the resources to back them up or will they be put off with folks who need 'time to think,' and 'time to study.'

The answers are obvious, they are found in past posts on crime and gangs in this blog.

The life of cities is determined by the commitment and faith of the middle class. If they lose hope, if they stop believing in their community, the city is lost.

Right now most Meadowood residents want to stay and fight. When that is lost, Meadowood is lost. The clock is ticking.

Comments

[RAG]

Well stated.

In retrospect, Mayor Dave makes Mr. Carol Skornicka look like great balls of fire. (And Mr. Carol and former Alderman Hank Lufler once scored their own macho points for catching a burglary en route home from a late night council budget hearing.)