In Newburgh, Gangs and Violence Reign

[mdmc]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/nyregion/12newburgh.html?pagewanted=1

(slideshow here - http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/12/nyregion/20100512NEWBURGH.html )
But this latest round of violence is shining a harsh new glare on the city, both for the intensity of the attacks and the young ages of many of those involved. The community led the state in violent crimes per capita in 2008 and is on course to do so again this year.

Gang violence has been responsible for all but 2 or 3 of the city’s 16 homicides in the last two and a half years. By law enforcement estimates, gang members with national affiliations outnumber the city’s police by a ratio of three to one, not counting the hundreds of young people in homegrown groups.

At a Senate hearing with Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in Washington last month, Senator Charles E. Schumer called the situation in Newburgh “shocking.”

“There are reports of shootouts in the town streets, strings of robberies and gang assaults with machetes,” Mr. Schumer said.
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The violence in Newburgh is by design. Drug war (unregulated economy) + "Free" trade (pay the lowest wage) = violence and poverty.

[RandomThoughts]

1. by design of people, who make free will choices of their futures. n/t

[mdmc]

3. I disagree

We have tons of great people in Newburgh. But a random bullet offers little free will choices, imho.
Although, after some thought, perhaps you are correct. As long as we continue to elect drug war supporters and outsourcing supporters, we choose the life we live..

[MadHound]

2. Legalize drugs, bring in good jobs, institute community policing,

Break out some community building programs, after school programs, etc. work to end the vicious cycle of poverty and you will end this problem.

Of course this isn't going to happen, so Newburgh is going to continue to be a living hell, as are the multitude of other "Newburghs" around the country.

[msongs]

4. we have trillions for wars in other people's countries. nt

[mdmc]

5. Feds: Gang crackdown means 'new hope to the City of Newburgh'

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100513/NEWS/100519865

CITY OF NEWBURGH — A force of nearly 600 law enforcement agents rammed through the doors of dozens of homes Thursday morning in Newburgh, locking up suspected street gangsters on federal drug charges.

Authorities said the raids could begin a new way of life for this little city that has ranked in recent years as the murder capital of New York.

“Today, we bring new hope to the City of Newburgh,” said Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.