Delphine Cherry knows as well as anyone how pervasive violent crime is in Chicago. In 1992, her teenage daughter was killed during a gang shootout, a tragedy echoed twenty years later when her son fell victim to gun violence. You don't think it’s going to happen twice in your life, she reflects.
As Chicago prepares for President Donald Trump's hinted deployment of National Guard troops to combat crime, many in the community are skeptical. Trump’s remarks have described Chicago as a hellhole, yet details regarding the operational plan remain vague. Local leaders express significant concern over the move, questioning its effectiveness and labeling it as political theatrics.
Prior usage of National Guard troops in other cities, such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., mostly focused on guarding property and assisting in law enforcement rather than addressing the root causes of crime. These deployments have stirred controversy and raised inquiries about their efficacy in genuinely reducing crime rates.
In Chicago, opposition to this military approach is echoed by victims’ families and community leaders. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker have emphasized a strategy centered on enhancing prevention programs rather than deploying troops. The city experienced a 25% decrease in homicides in the past year, indicating that Chicago is not as dire as Trump portrays.
Victims like Cherry and Trevon Bosley, whose brother was shot in 2006, advocate for community investment over military intervention. They believe that resources focused on nurturing communities and addressing poverty would yield real improvements in safety. Bosley argues, It’s not like we have a police shortage. The National Guard and police show up after a shooting has occurred; they don’t show up before. That’s not stopping or saving anyone.
As the debate over troop deployment unfolds, it remains clear that many local voices are calling for a shift in focus toward long-term solutions for the underlying issues of crime in Chicago.
