Green City Journal

A reader writes in about a solution to youth violence in the city.

Just this past August, I drove to my friend's home around 51st and Ludlow. When we got there, 5 shots rang out. Then there was a man on the ground, semi-conscious, reaching for his cell phone, surrounded by blood. This man had just been shot; I watched him as he died. To this day I see the look in his eyes and wonder why? Why is it like this?These days, everyone is asking themselves that question. I would like to share a possible solution.

First, we need to realize that guns do not shoot themselves. A weapon is only as dangerous as the intentions of the person behind it. Back during the 1970s, Philadelphia had a major problem with gang war violence. Kids were shooting and killing rival gang members over trivial things like territory.

Rev. Jesse Brown of MCA

That casinos are devastating to the communities in which they locate is pretty well known. They have brought nothing but economic stagnation to Atlantic City and Detroit, among other cities. Though roughly only 5% of the population is susceptible to gambling addiction, this group composes up to 50% of the casino customer base.