Answers: Curbing Violence

What can the average Cedar Rapids resident do to help curb violence in that city?

FROM OUR INBOX

Report what you see on crimes you witness. The philosophy of 'don't rat on your homeys” perpetuates the violence cycle. 'They won't talk to us” is a common refrain from the CR Police. People who won't bear witness are the biggest obstacle in 'taking out the trash.”

Michael J.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

Ashley R.: We need more activities that bring us together. Also conflict resolution training for active community members. We need to start treating violence like a contagious disease, stop its spread at the source and not wait until it is at an explosive level before we act.

Bryan G.: See something, say something.

Matt C.: Be a parent to your kids. Be a neighbor and report suspicious activity. Be a witness when you see an incident. Get to know who lives around you so you can be the best at all of the above. All aspects of being a person who wants to live in a peaceful neighborhood. If you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem.

Lee H.: You cannot be afraid to talk to the police. As parents we can teach our children to not be afraid of the police. We can also teach them how to be responsible. These are just a few small things, yet they would equal great big results.

Amanda H.: Residents need to tell city officials to stop sugarcoating the facts. Until they can utter the words, youth and gang violence in one sentence I'd say we focus on electing officials who can actually address the problem instead of dancing around it.

Cara L.: Just as you cannot simply 'make someone else happy” you cannot simply 'make others stop the violence”. 100 percent of the violence is happening because 100 percent of the people committing the crimes want to. Focus on your home, your children and your life.

Mitch B.: This isn't just on the people in the neighborhoods, the city isn't doing their part. Make sure the streets are well-lit at night, make sure the police are present and positive within the community, have hefty punishments for people committing crimes in these areas, educate people about gang affiliations and what to look for, etc.

Matt R.: We need to stop sidestepping the fact that there are gangs in Cedar Rapids. So what do the police know about the gangs? Tell the public so we know what to look for.

Jennifer A.: Start with the younger kids, parents need to know what their children are doing, where they are, who they hanging out with! The older people that choose the violent way of life need to have stiffer punishments. Neighbors have to work together and get the word out there they are taking the neighborhoods back and cleaning them up. The more police presence will help.

Craig W.: Try not being violent for one, Second I tried getting people interested in bringing in the guardian angels to Cedar Rapids, but everyone I talked to was all talk and no action or were completely apathetic.

Bryon R.: Be alert. If you see something, take down description of vehicles, people involved. Or do as I did and keep a safe distance and chase them down. How do you think the guy in the 42nd Street. shooting got arrested in 27 minutes after the shooting. I chased him down. But also be safe about it. Not all circumstances warrant this. Just be vigilant. Don't be afraid to talk to the police.

Ron H.: Curfew for minors and witnesses need to step up.

James A.: Buy a gun.

Ashley R.: I've been thinking about this a lot. This isn't an issue that we can just focus on for a week or couple of months. We have to be willing to make sustainable changes. My suggestion is to have conflict resolution training for people who are interested and engaged in the community. Let's start treating violence like a contagious disease and nip it before it spreads and infects us all.

Karen J.: Get to know your neighbors and give a helping hand when you can. Watch for unusual happenings and report them. Join the Neighborhood Watch group by you. There is none? Call the police and start a group.

Deb H.: Stop babying your kids! PUNISH them instead of blaming someone else.

Kim A.: We could stop blaming Chicago like a bunch of idiots and actually take responsibility for our own city.

David L.: Neighborhood cook out and become one big family like it was back in the day.