Plan of Chicago letters

From the paper: Police patrols, gang violence

Police patrols


I am a victim of gun violence. I was walking home from the store with a friend and a car pulled up next to me and started shooting at my friend. I was caught up in the crossfire and was shot in my back. Luckily I survived, but unfortunately my friend died.

A possible solution to this issue could be having the police patrol the neighborhood at all times. When the police leave the neighborhood, it gives criminals the opportunity to create more violence on the streets. If police patrol dangerous areas non-stop, then it will surely decrease the murder rate in Chicago. People in these high-murder-rate areas will become more secure with law enforcement around.

This solution, however, may cause police to do searches on any person who looks "suspicious." But the point of the police patrolling the neighborhood is to make sure no violence is being conducted; police officers should only do searches if they hear shootings in an area and search possible suspects in an area.

No police officer should harass people in a community; they should just patrol!

Parrie Perkins, student, Chicago International Charter School Ralph Ellison High School

Gang violence

When people join gangs, their entire families are affected. Gang violence is hurting the people around my community. It hurts them emotionally, mentally and even physically. For example, if a gang member was to die, a family member will get involved in that even when the family member is not supposed to, and that can put that person in danger.

A solution would be to take the guns off the streets because these kids are killing each other with guns. Another solution to keep these boys active would most likely be a sport, such as football or basketball. I say a sport because it would keep their minds off of violence most of the time.

It will be a challenge taking guns off the streets because, although it's very hard to get guns in Chicago, these young gang members are very smart and they know that in the suburbs, the gun laws are not as strict as in the city. I believe, however, if we change the laws in the suburbs like Chicago gun laws, the kids wouldn't go through a lot of work to get guns, so most likely they would put their minds to something better like school.

Chicago really needs to address this problem. We're killing ourselves. We're taking away voices that can really be something in the future.

Jaquelle Eichelberger, student, Chicago International Charter School Ralph Ellison High School

Trade schools

Although my city is a great city, we do have a major issue. We don't have many trade schools. I've experienced the high school life without actually learning things that can really get me a job or career in life. High school is a place for learning helpful things instead of the necessary ones, as trade school does. I would rather go to trade school instead of high school because I would have the credentials for the job I studied for.

The possible solution for the issue is to create or reopen trade schools. I don't think people know what trade schools actually do; when they get wind of it, the admissions offices at the schools could be flooded. Ultimately trade schools will succeed because more people will be certified for jobs.

Chicago needs to address this because most kids don't want degrees and aren't fit for colleges. With trade schools there would be more young people working instead of on the streets or dead.

Jamal Smith, student, Chicago International Charter School Ralph Ellison High School

Gun violence

My home is located on the South Side of Chicago, and I witness gun violence daily. Gang violence is mainly attacking our youth. We need to take a stand and stop this from happening by handling it at the source. I propose to eliminate guns off the streets, but I'm going to take a different route to accomplish this. We should go to the source, the suburban areas, outside the urban areas. Many think requiring licenses to buy guns will keep gang members from purchasing them. We need to think outside the box, and go outside of the urban areas of Chicago and inspect those little corner boutiques and make sure that is all they are selling.

Recently a good family friend was shot and killed because of a gun, and I admit it stinks to see this happen to a loved one.

— Asante Parker, student, Chicago International Charter School Ralph Ellison High School

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