The Chicago streets have become a battleground for gang members. Last month nine people were killed between Friday and Sunday. At times they have averaged two murders a day.

By JAMES W. WADE III
Staff Report

Crime is really getting out of hand when you can’t even go to a movie with your family and feel safe. With what is being called one of the deadliest shootings since the Columbine massacre, 24-year-old James Holmes decided to shoot up a Movie Theater inAurora,Colorado.

Ten victims were killed in the theater and another two died later from the shooting injuries. How is it people don’t have the right to go out and celebrate a birthday or just want to see the latest movie?

In Akron, Ohio, people try to run a business and when they turn away a trouble-maker, he decides to shoot into the restaurant killing people. Rashaan Price, 38, of Avon Street, was found lying on the floor with a gunshot wound. Two others were wounded in the shooting.

Last week another group of criminals tried to disrupt a person enjoying a meal inShaker Square. On Friday, July 20, Fourth District Officers Lloyd and Walker were patrolling in theShaker Squarearea when they observed a male chasing another male onShaker Blvd.

They immediately joined in the chase and were able to take a suspect into custody. During their investigation they learned that a restaurant patron was sitting on a patio with his phone on the table when three males walked up and began to look around.

One male (the lookout) then shouted “OKAY” signaling one of the other suspects to snatch the cell phone and they all began to run in different directions. A “passer-by” saw the theft and began chasing the suspect just before the officers joined in. The 17-year-old suspect was conveyed to jail before being released to his parents and will have a court date in the near future.

At Shaker Square Cinema robbers came in and demanded people’s wallets and purses, one of them struck a few people in the head with the movie theater railing. Commander Deon McCaulley of the 4^th District Cleveland Police and his men caught these criminals in less than 15 hours.

The question is raised weekly, “What can we do about all the crime in Chicago?” The street violence has been affecting Chicago's communities for years, but this year they have seen more homicides than they would like to have dealt with for a few years.

With over 200 homicides in Chicago for the year, parents concerned about their kids. Just like any city, a child doesn’t have to be doing wrong to be involved in a shooting. In a report the police and city officials say street gangs are responsible for 80 percent of the shootings.

Some Chicago residence they claim the police have said 50 to 70 gangs are operating in the city. They said things have changed from the days of the early gangs who use to rule the streets.

The Chicago streets have become a battleground for gang members. Last month nine people were killed between Friday and Sunday. At times they have averaged two murders a day.

In Cleveland a 16-year-old young man who worked every day, was a boxer at CoryRecCenterand did not get in trouble, became the victim of a car load of cowards in the latest drive by shooting. Ibrahim Abdul-Haqq is now fighting for his life after being shot in the head onEast Blvd and St. Clair. Ibrahim is the grandson of long time community leader and former member of the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board Ms. Rashidah Abdul-Haqq.

“This young man was an honor student and was not doing anything wrong, he just wanted to be a boxer and stay away from trouble. These young kids are losing their minds,” said Peace in the Hood’s Khalid Samad.

“This violence has to stop, what kind of society do we live in where you are afraid to come out of your house and do anything anymore without fearing for your life? I hope the youth can one day trade in their guns for some books and college degr