Increased Crime in the City

I moved to Macon, Georgia thirteen years ago. This great city has produced many music pioneers such as Little Richard, Otis Redding, and The Allman Brothers. Macon is also known for its many historical attributes. Macon is one of the largest cities in the middle Georgia area. Having relocated here from a city twice the size of Macon I never imagined that this city had so many problems. People would never think of Macon as a place where crime was a serious problem but would think of Macon more of as a retirement city. I came to know Macon as a small city with big city problems. One problem that Macon has become plagued with is crime.

Over the past year there has been a major increase in crime in the city of Macon. There are many critics who believe that the recent increase in crime can be attributed to the failing economy, high unemployment rates, and mortgage meltdowns. These are serious problems that have affected everybody in some way but those are poor excuses to use in trying to justify increases in crime. "Excuses are tools of the incompetent; he or she that uses them seldom accomplishes anything." It is foolish to believe that one can try to justify a problem that was there all of the time.

Often people try to use race as a major factor in crimes. Crime has no color! A person's financial or social background has no bearing on them committing a crime. Everybody is always asking, what can be done to decrease crime. It is up to local officials, local lawmakers, and concerned citizens to make a difference in fighting this recent influx of crime. We must not be so quick to criticize but should be persistent in our efforts to become more involved in assisting in the fight on crime instead. We cannot continue to turn a deaf ear by saying, "That did not happen in my neighborhood so that does not apply to me."

Crime has no geographical restrictions. Crime happens in upscale areas as well as those that are considered to be impoverished. It affects all of us regardless of where it takes place. Apathy is very dangerous! Everybody should have a desire to get involved in and out of their perspective communities. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. It is up to you to make the right choice.