A Military Solution to Urban Violence?

southsiderosie

Violence in Chicago has reached epic proportions, and it isn't even summer yet.

According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, "So far this year, 113 people have been killed across Chicago, the same number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined in the same period". Subsequently, two state representatives have suggested that the National Guard be called out to quell street violence and protect citizens:

Two state representatives called on Gov. Pat Quinn Sunday to deploy the Illinois National Guard to safeguard Chicago's streets.

Chicago Democrats John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford said they want Quinn, Mayor Richard Daley and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis to allow guardsmen to patrol streets and help quell violence. Weis said he did not support the idea because the military and police operate under different rules.

"Is this a drastic call to action? Of course it is," Fritchey said. "Is it warranted when we are losing residents to gun violence at such an alarming rate? Without question. We are not talking about rolling tanks down the street or having armed guards on each corner."

What he envisions, Fritchey said, is a "heightened presence on the streets," particularly on the roughly 9 percent of city blocks where most of the city's violent crimes occur.

Weis previously identified those "hot spots" and said he plans to create a 100-person team made up of selected and volunteer police personnel to respond to crime there. If guardsmen were to assist police, they could comprise or contribute to that force, Fritchey said.

So far this year, 113 people have been killed across Chicago, the same number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined in the same period, Fritchey said...

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The comments for this article contain the usual calls for conceal and carry gun laws, stricter sentencing, etc. But to be honest, I don't know what could quell the Chicago murder rate; certainly C&C laws would not have helped the poor Irish girl in critical condition after being attacked from behind with a baseball bat, or the tourist recently stabbed while jogging along the river in the early morning. That said, I'm also not convinced that the National Guard is the way to go; there might be a short-term dip in violence in some areas, but I don't think this would address some of the deeper issues of entrenched crime in large swathes of the city.

Usually I have really strong opinions on political issues (ha!), but here I'm really at a loss.

It wasn't me!

Armies are not police forces. To deploy them as one is asking for trouble. Occasionally the roles may look similar, such as certain aspects of peace-keeping operations, but the focus is fundamentally different.

helimachoptor

The Posse Comitatus Act prevents US soldiers being deployed in a police function, to over ride this I think it needs to President to authorize it.

The National Guard will be deployed in times of national emergencies and part of their function will be to prevent looting etc but they are not a police force.

Watch "The Siege".

Manic Moran

helimachoptor wrote: »

The Posse Comitatus Act prevents US soldiers being deployed in a police function, to over ride this I think it needs to President to authorize it.

Doesn't apply to Guardsmen on State Active Duty. Guardsmen belong to the State until called to Federal service, theState Governor can do with them as he will. Posse Comitatus applies to federal forces. In some States, activated Guardsmen have full law enforcement authority and are legally categorised as law enforcement officers. Similarly some of the State militias, such as Alaska's. Not sure if IL is one of these states.

It does make the McDonald case currently under consideration (Chicago's ban on any handguns whatsoever) seem even more relevant. Doesn't seem to be working.

NTM