Violence in Chicago is not anything new, however, in the last couple of years, things have gone from bad to worse. In response to this, President Donald Trump tweeted on January 24, 2017, “If  Chicago doesn’t fix the horrible “carnage” going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds!”

This statement has received mixed emotions throughout the Chicago population. Many believe that sending federal help won’t solve the issue, while others believe that federal help is a favorable idea. However, sending federal help will not solve the issue at all. In fact, it is only going to scrape the surface of the problem, while creating more complications.

Many believe that sending federal help will stop the increase of violence because they will be more authoritative and relentless toward criminals. However, while this statement may seem true, it can also violate the rights of the innocent. An example of this is stop and frisk, which is a tactic that these officials would most likely use. Many individuals will begin to accuse these officers of racism and discrimination, which will create controversy and an even bigger distrust between the people and the police.

Finally, it is without a doubt that action must take place quickly in order to solve this prevailing dilemma. Chicago had a reported 762 homicides in 2016 and so far there have been 52 homicides reported this year. Sending federal help may seem like a promising and quick solution to the problem, however, doing so will only temporarily alter the situation. If Trump does send federal help, they will stay until violence is reduced, but once they leave, the numbers will rise again.

What Trump needs to do is find a way to create revenue for the city of Chicago and put pressure on Rahm Emanuel. Emmanuel has failed to fund schools, fund low income areas, and create jobs. Most, if not all, violence occurs in impoverished areas that lack funding and opportunity for the people living there. If these areas, like Back of the Yards, Gage Park, and Englewood, are funded, then programs and opportunities for the youth would rise and it would keep them off the streets. Also, with proper school funding and job availability,  these communities will rise both impoverishment and violence.

As stated before, Trump’s statement on sending the Feds will truly not change Chicago’s violent state; it will simply cause more problems. The propositions that were stated before can most likely end the cycle of poverty and violence. All it takes is for the local government to take the pen to paper and turn those propositions into reality.