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Beating Violence or Claiming Victory
Too Soon.
(August 29, 2006) Today (8/29)
nearly every Boston media source (see the article
in The Boston Globe) prominently reported (an obvious seed from City Hall) that the city has been
homicide free since August 1st, a major reprieve after July registered 5
shooting deaths in one week alone. This is great news for sure, but I have
news for the mayor and all those hailing the relatively bloodless month as a
reason to cheer, there are still two days remaining in the calendar. So why
claim victory when the race isn抰 over? Worse than being
premature, it could be lethal. Just imagine some
abhorrent street thug bristling over a recent drug deal short-changed, or an
old flame now going with a rival or even the wrong sideways glance while
crossing the street. The rash media burst might be all the additional
incentive needed to add the the 48 tragedies already this year. We抮e not
talking about friends and neighbors here, but a sociopath who抎 take pride in
being the one to break the calm and splash red across the front page of the
morning paper. Now had this wonderful
news waited two days; it抎 be a new month and a new slate. The tally抎 be in,
and there抎 be nothing for the deviants to sully. Old history. End of story. And in all this
congratulatory hype, where does the success or past blame lie? It can抰
appear good for Kathleen M. O'Toole, the city抯 first female police chief,
who left in the middle of one of the city抯 bloodiest sprees to take a top
security post in Ireland. No doubt, acting Police Commissioner Albert Goslin
is the defacto hero du jour (and the odds on favorite for the permanent post)
and Mayor Menino gets big kudos for his persistence on the matter梩hat is, if
their highly touted accomplishment holds as stated for 48 hours. Hopefully there won抰 be
a victim 49 in 2006. And while that抯 wishful thinking, the mayor抯 office
and the police department should not get in the habit of counting their good
graces until the chips are in. - TBM |
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