A
Snitch in Time...
When Boston’s murder rate reached 66 this month,
city officials sprang into action. The police began a sweep to arrest
those with outstanding warrants and Mayor Menino went on a rampage
to remove “Stop Snitchin’” t-shirts from local
clothing stores.
Fifteen years ago, a murder rate of 66 would have been considered
a great improvement. The homicide rate in 1990 was 152. However,
the efforts of some community activists along with the police reduced
the number of murders to 31 in 1999. Homicides have begun to increase
since then and 66 is the highest number in ten years.
The rapid decline in the murder rate from the 1990 toll attracted
national attention. The news media began to talk about the “Boston
Miracle”. President Clinton even visited Boston in February
1997 to acknowledge the city’s success in fighting crime.
As is often the case with great achievements, there were many to
claim an important role in the war against crime.
So what has gone wrong? Why has the homicide rate begun to climb?
Faith-based anti-crime efforts have actually increased since Boston
was in the national spotlight.
As one might expect there are numerous theories about the current
change. So far, no theory has the ring of authenticity. A proper
analysis would require a determination of what strategies have changed
since the 1990s. The analyst might then be able to determine the
consequences of those changes.
Mayor Menino has focused on a major problem in the African American
community. The popularity of the "Stop Snitchin’"
t-shirt does not indicate a support for crime and murder. Rather,
it indicates a conflict between the community and the police. Without
the support of the community, the job of the police becomes increasingly
more difficult.
People do not want any contact with the police because of the possibility
of abuse. There is still no adequate system for handling citizen’s
complaints. What are people to think when a police officer could
get a CORI report on Sen. Wilkerson’s son and give it to the
Boston Globe? If that could happen to someone with political clout,
how vulnerable must the average citizen feel?
The very low clearance rate for murders reflects the conflict between
the Boston police and the community. While the national average
for solving homicides is 60 percent, the rate in Boston was only
34 percent last year. It is relatively easy to get away with murder
in Boston.
Boston benefited from the courage and determination of the Nation
of Islam to reduce crime in the African American community. An important
aspect of their strategy was to improve relations with the police.
The close relationship between Minister Don Muhammad and Police
Commissioner Francis "Mickey" Roache established confidence
in the community about working with the police.
What has happened since then is that for some reason the role of
the Nation of Islam has been marginalized. That is the major difference
between now and the nineties. And the deleterious results are obvious.
Mayor Menino has amassed a great record of achievement. It would
be a pity if his legacy were sullied because of ill-advised policies
for coping with the rising crime rate.
|
Melvin B. Miller
Editor & Publisher
Bay State Banner |
