Although the recent shootings have certainly been distressful for Allentown, if you're a candidate running for office, or a youth program director, there is no shortage of talking points to be made about the violence.
Hasshan Batts from Promise Neighborhood took advantage of the chaos, addressing a rally, and with an editorial in the paper. He said and wrote that "This is a proven, tested framework that has decreased violence by up to 80% across the world in neighborhoods that boldly implemented these strategies with generous, long-term funding."
I don't doubt that Hasshan is as qualified and experienced as any director in any city. But since the Hell's Kitchen movies of 1930 with James Cagney, youth gangs, almost by definition, resist the Father O'Brians and Hasshan Batts'. Large cities like Chicago and Los Angelos have no shortage of experienced youth directors, yet the problems persist. Our elected leaders should support programs such as Promise, but let's be realistic before going boldly with generous, long-term taxpayer funding.
photocredit:Jane Therese/The Morning Call
The solution is simple: Get at least a HS education. Get a full time job and be self supporting. Get married, don't have children right away. After several years, have 1 or 2 children - no more than you can afford to feed and clothe.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't require a government program, and more taxes.
My Goodness Doug B.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds too much like Common Sense. Shame on you HA!!...PJF
Do I sense some self interest in this demand for money? Throw money in my direction and all your problems will be solved. Why don't we form a committee while we are at it, or better yet, a paid task force.
ReplyDeleteAnd shockingly, Betts and his organization will be there help implement the plan and to act as a mediator between the police and the minority community...
ReplyDelete… for a fee.
They are only trying to help...right?
ReplyDeleteNo program is going to help: The problem is no family / father in the home. The problem is 16 yr olds having children. By age 3, a child behavior is mostly formed.
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