Submitted by Anonymous on
By Ram Uppuluri
A recent Associated Press article, “DC, once violent center of the crack epidemic, is now on pace for fewer than 100 homicides” highlights the significant drop in the number of 2012 killings in the District of Columbia. Down to less than 100 killings so far this year, this figure represents a significant decline since the early 1990s when the number of killings a year approached 500.
The author identifies gentrification and improvements in law enforcement techniques and medical care as causes for this trend. Not mentioned, however, is the substantial impact education has on decreasing violence and homicide rates.
While good police work is half of the equation, the other half is providing positive alternatives for people who are at risk of becoming involved in violent acts, particularly young people who live in high-crime neighborhoods, have dropped out of school, don't have jobs, have some history of gang involvement or have experienced substance abuse in the home. High-quality educational opportunities do just that. Ensuring that EVERY CHILD in the District has access to a high-quality education at a good school is one of the most important crime fighting strategies we can adopt.
FOCUS Executive Director Robert Cane recently wrote about the role of public charter schools in reducing violent crime. Charter schools serve a larger percentage of at-risk students than traditional public schools, and have higher test scores and graduation rates, on average, than traditional public schools. Better educational opportunities play a vital role in reducing violent crime. And public charter schools are a big part of the solution.