[Text/Observer Network Zhang Chenjing] Entering the second half of 2021, the "American crime wave" is gradually becoming the focus of attention of major US media. On independence day alone, the weekend of Independence Day (July 4), there were more than 540 shootings in the United States, killing 180 people and injuring more than 500 others.
"2020 is the worst year of gun violence in decades in the United States, and 2021 will be even worse." USA Today reported that as of July this year, more than 23,000 people had died from gun violence in the United States. It is worth noting, however, that this year's "killing season" in the United States , the summer season , has only just begun.
CNN wrote bluntly that "the wave of crime after the reopening is becoming a major political problem in the United States." There are also concerns that U.S. cities could once again be caught up in a wave of violent street crime similar to those of the early 1990s. On July 11, local time, Fox anchor Jeanine Pirro also issued an urgent warning on the show, saying that "the number one problem that threatens people's lives in the United States is not the new crown virus nor racism, but the national crime wave that is playing out on the streets."
Fox anchor Jenny Pilo video screenshot
"Violence seems to be becoming the norm"
According to the U.S. Gun Violence Files website, 189 people died and 516 were injured in the 72 hours from July 2 to July 4. These numbers may also increase as data is collected.
In Chicago alone, more than 100 people were shot that weekend, 19 of them dead. Among the injured were 13 children and 2 police officers. The Chicago Sun reported that as of July 4, a total of 2,019 people had been shot in Chicago this year, a nearly 13 percent increase from last year and a 58 percent increase over 2019.
During this period, 51 people died in New York State by gunfire. Gov. Cuomo first declared a state of emergency on July 6 over gun violence, for which the state government will provide $139 million in aid.
New York Governor Cuomo figure from foreign media
In Ohio, a 17-year-old boy was shot dead at a party, injuring at least 12 others. Less than an hour later, another 2 police officers were shot while trying to disperse the crowd watching the fireworks display in a carousel shooting. In Atlanta, Georgia, more than 50 teenagers fought and 1 child was shot; in Norfolk, Virginia, a 15-year-old boy shot and killed 4 children...
USA Today reported that as of July this year, more than 23,000 people had died from gun violence in the United States.
2020 was the year of the pandemic, economic turmoil in the United States, and protests across the United States, with more than 43,000 deaths from gun violence in the United States, the highest in decades in the United States. Based on the current situation, 2021 seems to be worse than 2020.
The Washington Post reported that in the first five months of this year, more than 8,100 people died in the United States from gunshots, and about 54 people died every day, which is 14 more than the average number of deaths in the same period in the past six years.
"Violence seems to be becoming the norm," Shelley Childs, 25, who witnessed the Washington Park shooting, said worriedly, about a month before someone was shot outside her mother's house.
The "killing season" has only just begun
Some US media, experts, and police are worried that American cities may once again fall into a wave of violent street crime similar to the early 1990s.
Fox female anchor Jeanine Pirro also warned on the show on the 11th that "the number one problem that threatens people's lives in the United States is not the new crown virus, not global warming, nor racism, but the national crime wave that is being staged on the streets." She used it to lash out at democrats, saying they did nothing and "pretended they didn't happen."
CNN reports that New York City's crime rate, while not at the levels of the 1990s, is soaring. According to the NYPD, shootings in May increased by 73 percent from the same period last year.
Police officer Yesenia Rosado said, "I grew up in the South Bronx and have never seen this happen." The Bronx is a well-known slum in New York, and its crime rate is among the highest in the United States.
The police here found that many of the shooters and victims were teenagers. Police officer Catherine Torres said, "It's so bad to see 16-year-olds shooting at each other and killing people. ”
Screenshot of CNN report
For the rise in crime, the police blamed it on a variety of factors, such as the end of the epidemic people rushing out of their homes; the surge in gun ownership rates; the reform of the police and judicial system; and the atmosphere of distrust of the police caused by the death of black Floyd.
Based on data from the Washington Post's analysis of federal gun background checks, people bought more than 23 million guns in 2020, a 66 percent increase over 2019. And more guns were bought in January and February 2021 than in any previous month.
Growing hostility from the population poses a danger to the patrolling police. The NYPD is now laying off employees faster than recruiting new officers. Some retire early, or simply leave the army.
Police officer Yesenia Rosado said, "Someone threatened us and threatened to kill our family. According to the NYPD, more than 5,300 NYPD officers retired or applied for early retirement in 2020, a 75 percent increase from the previous year.
A retired police officer in New York City, speaking on condition of anonymity, said many police officers retired because "no one supports the police anymore." Some veteran cops are even willing to give up thousands of dollars in additional retirement compensation a year in order to retire several years earlier.
"It's a problem for The United States," said Jeff Asher, a data analyst at AH Data Analytics, who tracked 72 cities and found that murder rates were rising almost everywhere. It is worth noting that CNN calls the "killing season" in the United States - the summer has just begun.
Mark Bryant, founder of the Gun Violence Archive, said, "To be honest, I'm terrified of this summer."
Late last month, Biden vowed to take a "zero tolerance" approach to unscrupulous gun dealers and those who smuggle weapons across the city. "We'll make sure you can't peddle death and injury on our streets." At the time, the Biden administration also said it would allow $350 billion from federal stimulus grants to be used to fund police departments in areas where violent crime rates are rising.
Still, Zach Smith, a legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said that "unfortunately, in many ways, the president's proposals have failed to stem the tide of violent crime."
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer Network and may not be reproduced without authorization.