It has happened again. What used to bring a gasp as we heard the news or scrolled to it that ANOTHER MURDER has taken place now barely catches our attention as we push on to the sports page or to the financials. No longer is the violent crime just in CANTON but now anywhere in Stark County. Pick a spot, just about anywhere, if not now, within the next year one can believe that a homicide will occur.
This is an opinion piece so whatever I write here is my own beliefs, my own conjecture and I alone am responsible for it. I will cite reputable sources… here comes one now! Check this out! Here is an article from way back in 2020… if you think about our headlines EVERY WEEK almost this year… it will make 2020 seem like a sunny day at the beach! Here it is:
Canton Ohio “is more dangerous than 99% of other American cities.”[i]
Surprisingly even at that high a crime rate, Canton came in 2nd in Ohio falling behind Chillicothe who claimed the top spot.
“In the 2020 calendar year, there have been reports of 1,429 violent crimes and 3,411 property crimes. These crimes include the worst such as murder and rape. They also include property-based crimes, such as burglary and auto theft.”
The numbers correlate, according to the writer of the article, to the over 31% of Canton citizens living below the poverty level.
The year 2020 is long now in the rear-view mirror. This year will no doubt take all of Stark County to a new level of crime rates and specifically, homicides. It is no longer in the ‘certain sections’ of Canton but in driveways in Perry Township, city parks in Louisville… you name it, somewhere in Stark County there has been a matching homicide. This is crazy!
Is there an answer? I happen to think so, in fact, I wrote a book about the answer way back before the defund the police and the riots in cities across America. I even used the City of Canton and their most prestigious event that brings national attention to Stark County every summer, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremonies.
The book was written from the standpoint of stopping terrorist type attacks but the terror incited by these random homicides more than qualifies as an attack on our neighborhoods.
May I unabashedly recommend you purchase my book and give it a good read? The profits go to a worthy cause, the Legacy of Honor a 501c3 helping our veterans, military and first responders, and their families.
The book is titled: Stretching the Thin Blue Line: Policing America in Times of Heightened Threat
You can find the book at www.honorthelegacy.org
The answers are a mixture of communities coming together, police and civilians talking with each other and working together. It comes from young people who are ready to commit random acts of kindness. They need the encouragement and the direction on how to do the good deeds they would love to do. The family, meaning strong, God honoring families, are a huge part of the answer and it is all contained in this book. I hope you’ll enjoy it! The purchase price is just $12.00 plus shipping and all proceeds go to Legacy of Honor! You will not regret reading through this challenge to make our cities better!
[i] https://upgradedhome.com/the-most-dangerous-cities-in-ohio/
RossRiggs.com 