Adolescent Mob Violence in Chicago

Last Saturday, April 15th, 2023, Chicago adolescents causes destruction and mayhem in the downtown area, ransacking stores and other properties, smashing the windows of vehicles, blocking traffic, beating, and robbing innocent civilians. There is a vexing video of a large group of said delinquents surrounding and savagely beating a woman. There were even shootings, in which at least two were injured.

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, whilst condemning the violence and destruction, warned the public not to villainize the youths but to understand that they need "safe spaces to gather responsibly." While this may be the case, safe spaces have not stopped the violence before. In fact, last Saturday's madness seems to be an effect as to how the riots of 2020 were handled. The police force as a whole had been vilified by popular culture, and they were even told to stand down in certain cases. This was especially the case when a mob tried to take down a Christopher Columbus statue. Even though the police succeeded in warding off the mob, Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered the statue be removed. Some of those rioters would have called that a victory. What this is teaching the youth is that they can get their way by acting like rabid hippopotami, especially if you are a victicrat of Black heritage.

Yet, what about everyone else? What about the tourists who were beaten and robbed? What about the store owners whose property has been damaged--again? What about those whose cars had their windows smashed? These incidents will cause tourists to stay away from the city and for more businesses to relocate, causing the economy of the city to collapse even further.. What about peaceful, hard-working, law-abiding citizens of Black heritage? As a great many, if not most, of the youth responsible were Black, this will make all of us become, even more, objects of contempt, further damaging ethno-racial relations.

As for the safe gathering spaces comment, that is nothing but a cop-out. Even if the brains of teens are not fully developed, they are developed enough to know the difference between right and wrong. No matter how difficult one's life seems to be, people have choices, and choices have consequences. Those responsible for damages should spend time in jail and then do community service to clean the city and repair damages to businesses vandalized. Those with guns and who beat innocent people should be tried as an adult and made an example out of with serious prison time.

While one could put the blame on the juvenile delinquents alone, they are only the tip of the iceberg. What about the misplaced priorities of the Chicago politicians? What about the public schools that take remove God and prayer, replacing them with standardized testing skills and inappropriate gender and sexuality studies? And exactly where were the parents?! If chaos such as what occurred last Saturday continues, with police departments, thanks to politicians and BLM activists, it is very likely that there will be a rise in vigilantism--such as what was seen in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020. With the rhetoric noticed from the far-right, anything they do against mobs would be deemed by many to be justified. Perhaps now is a good time to let police officers do their jobs?

Now, according to the Berwyn Police Department, there is a chance that mob action is in the works this Saturday, 4/22/2023, at North Riverside Park Mall. They are encouraging everyone to be extra careful and vigilant. It is best to stay away from the mall, North Riverside, and Berwyn if possible. Considering the times we are in, it stands to wonder if any community is at risk for such mob violence. What would happen if this came to Bridgeview? What plans do the police have to protect the residents, as well as their property? What are the procedures we should be aware of? Do surrounding towns have similar procedures? These are all important questions that the residents have the right to know.