People that post about Crime, what are you doing to help your community in the City?

Submitted by Diela_N t3_126qj51 in washingtondc

The sub has seen a huge increase in reporting and talking about crime in the city. I'm just wondering, what are you going to do about it?

Are you volunteering to mentor at-risk kids?

Are you attending council meetings?

Are you just here to complain about crime and leave in the next two years cause you did your TDY in DC?

Lots of smart people in this sub, but very few positive messages about helping or changing things in the city.

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88138813 t1_jea9unm wrote

what do you wish to accomplish with this post

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aboutblogabout t1_jeaage7 wrote

In my opinion, there is not a minimum level of civic engagement one must accomplish in order to be deserving of a city with low crime

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88138813 t1_jeaat4u wrote

Replying to Diela_N (#2,488,364)

So let me get this straight. In order to get your "complain about crime" pass in DC, you need to... checks notes... volunteer to mentor at-risk kids? Once completed, you can complain all you want? It's just such a weird sentiment.

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ireportcarsto311 t1_jeaaw1k wrote

I don’t want to out myself but I am likely one of the people you’re referring to, and I have been consistent volunteering for many years in DC.

It’s important to volunteer and be active in your community. I would venture that most people concerned with crime are also the ones who are active.

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Diela_N OP t1_jeabcld wrote

Replying to ireportcarsto311 (#2,488,500)

Thank you for your time and energy in helping out our community. The post is getting a good amount of down votes but I was just generally curious about this subject. We could always use more people like you in this world.

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Surefinewhatever1111 t1_jeabmc0 wrote

Attending Council meetings is completely pointless when the electeds don't listen to anyone but each other. I can name perhaps two that actually listen to their constituents. The rest openly DGAF.

>Are you just here to complain about crime and leave in the next two years cause you did your TDY in DC?

Look if you want to go down the road of how long we've all been here you're gonna end up dying mad. Some of us don't want to go back to what DC was like 20 years ago.

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Diela_N OP t1_jeabqla wrote

Replying to 88138813 (#2,488,480)

It's not that weird. A problem has been identified. The next step in the discussion should be a solution to that problem. We have not seen any posts about discussing what that solution is or could be to the identified problem.

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jolygoestoschool t1_jeabzyj wrote

Replying to Diela_N (#2,488,486)

Not everybody has studied criminal justice and knows how to solve crime or is politically literate enough to know who’s policy will actually lower crime, but that doesn’t mean they dont have a right to want a low crime community

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pickletype t1_jeadqrq wrote

Some people blame the D.C. City Council.

Some people blame Mayor Bowser.

Some people blame D.C. police.

Some people blame the U.S. attorney for D.C.

Those four parties all have the ability to directly address the crime problem in our city via policy decisions, effective policing, and prosecution of crimes. It's quite literally their job. But sure, let's pin the blame on users of the D.C. subreddit for not fixing these problems.

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afreelady2020 t1_jeaeqwx wrote

We pay taxes to fund the police and public schools

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Diela_N OP t1_jeaf2yr wrote

Replying to pickletype (#2,489,277)

The post's intention is not to blame anyone. I just wanted people's opinions on how the average person is or could help with the problem. Many people are defensive about discussing how people can help improve the problem the sub has identified as a major issue.

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TheAgeOfQuarrel802 t1_jeafo8l wrote

I helped put roughly a dozen shitbag individuals in prison from my work in forensics in a neighboring county. Unknown DNA samples taken from scenes may compound the sentences for offenders once they’re caught. It’s the gift that keeps giving.

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tiakeuta t1_jeag0to wrote

I think the intention of this is very nice, but at what point is it not the whole cities fault that crime is being committed by criminals?

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tiakeuta t1_jeagtcc wrote

I see a lot of people posting about restaurants, but what have you done to make the food at Founding Farmers better. Huh? Its very easy to complain from the sidelines, but we live in a society!

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tiakeuta t1_jeahrpi wrote

I think this might be a step too far for the 'if you don't vote, you cant complain' theorem.

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Rabiznaz t1_jeahwiw wrote

Replying to Diela_N (#2,488,619)

I think it’s getting downvoted because the tone on your original post reads as dismissive and assumptive of the level of community engagement from people posting about crime. If you are truly curious about the level of individual investment across the DC community then you may want to adjust the underlying tone of the post.

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Daniels_Cafeteria t1_jeajz0v wrote

I’ve been moonlighting as a vigilante. I beat the shit out of a few jaywalkers last night in Georgetown. Not to toot my own horn too much but I also post on next door about my neighbors leaving their trash cans on the sidewalk. I’m the man

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tiakeuta t1_jeak3gf wrote

Replying to Surefinewhatever1111 (#2,490,771)

Is this where being overly compassionate and empathetic becomes a complete circle. People victim blaming themselves. Mam why do you think the mugger picked you? Well I never volunteered so...I guess I can only blame myself.

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Susurrus03 t1_jeaognt wrote

Not committing crime and being a responsible human.

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[deleted] t1_jeatqno wrote

People that post about people that post about Crime, what are you doing to help your community in the City?

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gator_fl t1_jeawleb wrote

Where did I sign up for "The Passive Aggressive More You Know" PSA?

Look at you with your "mentor at-risk youth" coment and "TDY" like we are some missionaries (pss...we aren't supposed to use to those terms..stop dividing us!).

Ask not what Reddit can do for you, but what you can do to stop using othering phrases and blaming ...uh, others.

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celj1234 t1_jeayjs3 wrote

Post on a Reddit with strangers. Wbu?

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Smart-Management-670 t1_jeb6wmj wrote

I’m a public educator for over 13 years in the district . We work tirelessly to intervene and serve our students and families . We are failed by the city at most ventures . It wasn’t always this bad , but since 2019 things have been going downhill , fast . Specific examples are CFSA screening out actual , provable abuse ( even on camera ). We learned years ago that they’ll be no help , they keep passing the buck back to schools . The reality is that we are not resourced to support all community challenges . MPD and the city also do NOTHING regarding truancy . Do you know how many student we have with a 50% or less attendance rate and absolutely nothing happens to their parents . I vote in every election , support statehood activities where I can and also belong to a community -based service organization. Also support high -stakes senate elections by volunteering for their campaigns . I serve this city well and continue to watch it deteriorate at an alarming rate with ( seemingly ) no action to address any real issues affecting our city.

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noticeably_pale t1_jeb8dwy wrote

Ah shit, I didn't go to a useless ANC meeting this week. Guess I can't complain about all the broken glass on my sidewalk from a string of car break-ins.

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fronthacker t1_jebogts wrote

I mentor underprivileged youths and donate to local charities. But I really resent the question, complaining is anyone's right, you don't need a "pass" to raise awareness on a social platform for issues you care about

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NPRjunkieDC t1_jeboh83 wrote

Replying to Smart-Management-670 (#2,496,429)

In the recent past, I would have said education. I still believe that if we had equal access to good public education, it would make such a difference.

These kids should be in school.
There are also for hire signs everywhere, so I don't see excuses or social factors pushing them into crime .

Must be very difficult being a teacher if so many kids are not interested. You are a role model for those who can and will make use of good teachers

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SMcLong t1_jebp3ii wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,499,671)

Be careful! This person might call you a fearmongering jerk because you’re talking about crime being up YoY (with data). Please join us in burying our heads in the sand. We SHOULD NOT be talking about it! Cuz morale or something

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Finish_Imaginary t1_jeci2pu wrote

DC residents have every right to post and complain about high crime WITH NO CONDITIONS. It’s also not our job to do something about it. We pay plenty of tax dollars to our government to actually govern and keep us safe and that’s more than enough. Shaming people for complaining about very legitimate concerns helps nothing and no one. Engaging in the community is a great thing and a personal choice, but is not a prerequisite for voicing concern about the state of the city. End rant.

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SMcLong t1_jed0n9b wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,508,982)

Is this how you usually handle the slightest bit of pushback? You get this riled up when your points (if you can call it that) don’t make sense?

The irony must be lost on you when you’re setting rules for who is a jerk while calling people assholes and saying “fuck you” in the same thread. WHAT ABOUT THE MORALE

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mediocre-spice t1_jed8rvn wrote

A lot posts are obviously from people new to the city who had a scary experience and trying to warn people, ask about resources/reporting, thank helpful bystanders. Reddit probably isn't the best outlet and there are always asshats just bitching in the comments but everything doesn't need to be "here is my 5 point activism plan to solve safety concerns in the greater DC metro area"

That aside, this is also an insanely privileged take. A lot of people can't go to council meetings or volunteer because their health is poor or they're working insane hours just to make ends meet or have extensive caretaking responsibilities. They are still part of our community and still get a voice about how things should be.

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SSSS_car_go t1_jeedh0t wrote

I don’t post about crime, but I still want to answer: I “think globally, act locally.” Meaning, I realize my impact will be small, but it can still be positive. I volunteer to pick up litter so neighborhoods don’t feel so depressing (shout out to District Cleanups!), which can lead to criminal acts, per the Broken Windows Theory. I volunteer in the parks (Anacostia Watershed Society, Rock Creek Conservancy) pulling up invasive plants (English ivy, clematis, honeysuckle) so the native plants have a chance and so the parks are more attractive to everyone, since green spaces are known to calm people down. And I volunteer with other groups as I have time—ushering at free music concerts (Washington Bach Consort), shelving books at the library, helping on Election Day. And I’m uniformly decent and pleasant to strangers I “meet” when I’m out and about, smiling, reaching something down from a high shelf for vertically challenged people in grocery stores, etc. I pay it forward.

Others no doubt will have other ways to involve themselves in their community, wherever your heart might lead you. The one thing we can’t afford to do is to distance ourselves from our neighbors. I’m not Christian, but I live by “Love your neighbor” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

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KaleLoverr t1_jeeg3oe wrote

Replying to fronthacker (#2,500,706)

Complaining is anyone’s right. But the comments in this subreddit go beyond complaining. There were literally people saying that the child murdered by an adult for carjacking deserved it, and was an example. That’s not okay, but the same people saying that don’t interact with or understand the people in their community on the day to day.

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sagarnola89 t1_jeeu0sw wrote

Replying to Smart-Management-670 (#2,496,429)

This is going to be unpopular, but I also blame parents for glorifying working from home. Kids look up to their parents as role models. Every day as a kid, I proudly watched my dad put on his work clothes and go to work in the morning. That helped motivate me to put on my school clothes (which back then wasn't pajama pants) and go to school in the morning. Now, if kids watch their parents sitting in their pajamas at home for work, it can be hard to feel motivated to go in-person to school every day. I'm not surprised that truancy rates are increasing.

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KaleLoverr t1_jeezbc2 wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,530,826)

Despite deleting your post, the things you post on this subreddit gives some insight into your views. Don’t know how I would feel better about myself by saying that you’re not progressive, sorry to hurt your sense of self.

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KaleLoverr t1_jefjy1d wrote

Replying to NPRjunkieDC (#2,500,708)

Good access to public education does make hell of a difference, but that’s the problem. DC has a disparity in educational opportunities, and beyond education, schools are supposed to be a safe space where children can explore their interests, and a lot of schools lack that. Also, schools teach to a curriculum that often lacks the context and needs of each individual students who come from different backgrounds and home situations that would effect their want and ability to learn.

Also, despite there being for hire signs everywhere, children should not have to work. There are plenty of children who have the privilege to not work and enjoy being a kid. In the hypothetical that a child does get a job, DC minimum wage is 15-16$ which is still not a living wage in DC, and wouldn’t be much to help their family. Also, certain types of crime can seem like a way for children to acquire money faster than a for hire job would.

Sometimes children commit crime because they feel the pressure of poverty from their parents, sometimes it’s because they’re exposed to it in their homes or from their peers. Sometimes children commit crime because they feel like they have nothing to live for because low income status can do that to people. Sometimes children are literally being neglected, and feel that indulging in crime will get them the attention they want and need, even if it’s very negative. Not saying that committing crime is okay or acceptable, just saying that there are indeed social and environmental factors that would push them into it.

School should be more than education, and children are interested, but it’s important to understand the needs of each individual student, which is hard to do when teaching a class of 20+. This is where social workers, maybe mandatory after school programs, extra curricular, mentors, and more, play an important role in making children interested, ensuring that they feel cared for, and providing an outlet from difficult home situations.

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NPRjunkieDC t1_jefm87m wrote

Replying to KaleLoverr (#2,539,803)

But children that harass on the metro or that threw a woman off a bus when she asked them not to be so loud ?

This shows a dangerous attitude that I can't see how they are pushed to this .

Unfortunately, some very rich have tried to help with education, but it's not enough when the situation at home is not very enriching .

The city has a voucher program for housing that you would think could help young families or single moms to live in NW with good schools . But who gets these vouchers ? Unemployed recently homeless many times with mental issues

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8376danny t1_jefmy9r wrote

You got all the DC liberals mad with this one. I guess they realized they were closer to the right than they thought and got hurt.

Actively engaging in your community and supporting economic policies that actually help people, not throwing more police in and voting status quo, is the start of the solution.

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