Poverty at root of Savannah’s ‘criminal subculture’
Editor,
The sudden and horrible end of Scott Waldrup’s life has spurred an outcry among a select portion of Savannah’s citizenry.
Scott knew so many people in his corner of our city – and was so widely loved – it is not surprising that a great many folks with influence and ties to the downtown business community found themselves speaking into microphones and looking into camera lenses.
The local politicians who represent the well-heeled looked a little uncomfortable having their anti-crime feet being held to the fire, while the ones who represent the impoverished of our city seemed more at ease. But then again, they have more experience when it comes to facing the paralyzing force of sudden tragedy, grief and outrage.
Meanwhile, the law enforcement community beats a steady drum of “Gangs! Gangs! Gangs!” and each beat is a call for more police.
Unfortunately, the absence of police officers is not what brought about the gangs in the first place, and it’s not going to make them go away.
Crippling poverty that spans generations is at the root of Savannah’s criminal subculture. The breakdown of families (and adult supervision), schools, infrastructure, livelihood and community fabric is what leaves the young poor open to the notion of gang affiliation and an expectation that sooner or later the future will hold either incarceration or an early grave.
In the United States, more than one in five children is being raised in poverty. Twenty-two percent doesn’t sound as bad as it should.
You see, poverty is a community and neighborhood problem. Twenty-two percent inside some Savannah neighborhoods would be considered an astonishing turnaround for the better.
Savannah has two faces – one that is bright and shiny and facing the world and telling everyone to come for a visit. The other is constantly being asked to turn to the right to pose for its profile mug shot.
It is this face that shows no trace of hope. No amount of policing can reconcile the division here. Only leadership will do.
It’s time to invest our financial resources in the people of Savannah who live in peril. House by house, street by street and neighborhood by neighborhood, it’s time to come knocking on the door with opportunity instead of a search warrant.
Reducing violent crime by 25 percent in Savannah would generate a savings on intangible costs for the city – something in the neighborhood of $200-$300 per resident.
Get things moving in the right direction, and the city can buy all the palm trees and police it wants. Maybe even two new arenas.
Savannah doesn’t need another coat of whitewash or a streetscape makeover. It needs leadership with courage and conviction … leadership that will light the path out of darkness.
Scott Waldrup lived a life of courage and conviction. His legacy is secure.
How about you, Mr. Mayor? Council members?
Stan Kleine
This article appears in Jul 19-25, 2017.
Why are they poor? Could it be because of poor life choices? Having children before one is ready is destined to lead to poverty. Not getting an education is destined to lead to poverty. Poverty is a community and neighborhood problem? That sounds a lot like the gibberish from Hillary “It takes a village” nonsense. Stop having children prematurely and finish high school would do wonders to prevent poverty. In the meantime, lock their ***es up! I recently moved to the downtown area, not happy with the crime level.
Accurate and well thought out common sense article…true, true. Mr. Mayor, please appeal to developers and major companies to headquarter here. There is much opportunity here for positive growth while preserving the unique beauty and culture of All. Port Wentworth, and the access it provides in multiple ways, would be so appealing. Invest in its future, short and long-term, and take care of Savannah’s OWN. The people are so beautiful here!
Also, much potentual revenue is not being taken advantage of here, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, I noticed tags are not on display. These tags that represent the states many interests, are very much in demand in other states, and pull in quite a bit of revenue. I would say 50% of the population elsewhere purchases them at their states DMV. Please display the tags on a vacant wall…there will be a significant increase in purchases.
All of your comments are well meaning. BUT, the problem is beyond the comprehension and/or the will of the citizenry. Face the facts the problems will not be solved without support of not only the local financial community but also national interests. Savannah is truly a national treasure that inept leadership,poverty, drugs and crime have tarnished beyond the possibility of a shining future. Your city is being held hostage by currently unsolvable poverty. Face it America in general cannot solve the overwhelming drug problem. So how can Savannah deal with the issue in the middle of runaway poverty. It is a miracle that a SCAD student has not been accosted or worse ( maybe they have) in some of the areas they frequent. If the reputation of SCAD is harmed the historic district will be in great peril. I cannot offer an answer but only a question. Has Savannah asked for federal help to protect its one of a kind historic district. That would be a step in the right direction.
Getting to the root of problems is the key.
The writer of the article has ” two faces”.
Pulling the root to a problem is key.
Example: The writer of this article has
“Two faces”.
Pulling the root of any problem is key.
Example: The writer of this article has “Two Faces”.
I am more that amazed that you would write this. I wonder if you simply forgot about a town in FL where the majority of the community wanted to keep their streets clean, and be rid of certain “elements” that YOU helped provide and support. Need a reminder?
The poverty parents don’t care what their children do and the children from good homes do anything they want. Savannah is under siege by teenage crime.
Oversimplications are prevalent along with worn out clichs like “Having children before one is ready….” What makes those with such a mindset qualified to hand out judgement calls like that?
Mr. Cohen and other blacks seem to be offended when those analyzing our social problems focus on the absence of the black father and the black family. They cry, who are you to express ideas about who should have children and when? Well, we have every right to think that teenagers cannot raise children, teenagers who themselves may have no effective parents themselves, teenagers who seem to have no restraint when it comes to simple normal behavior. Of course blacks are not the only population group to have unrestrained behaviors but here in Savannah it is blacks, not Hispanics, we are chiefly concerned about. Where are the black churches? There are five on every street corner but none of them do much to inspire good behaviors among the youth. Where is the black bourgeoisie, driving luxury cars and wearing Rolexes but not doing much for the poor among their people. Most people who arrived in this country poor eventually helped one another to rise in the social order. I don’t see this happening in Savannah.