Violence in Schools and Other Issues
Violence in schools is an issue that impacts the community because it puts the children of the community at risk and it makes schools unsafe. Families, administrators and teachers have to come up with ways to reduce the risk—whether through the installation of cameras and law enforcement officers in the halls, or through the use of strict punishments of students who engage in on-site violence. Violence in schools is a problem that has to be dealt with from a gun perspective as well: such as, should teachers be armed? Is there a sufficient security plan in place that teachers can follow in the event of a school shooting? Are there enough school counselors on staff to assist in monitoring and helping students with emotional issues? There are numerous questions like these that have to be asked and answered by the community to adequately address the problem of violence in schools.
Another issue that impacts the community is the opioid epidemic. Too many people are becoming addicted to drugs, which makes the neighborhood in general less safe. It also can shatter families as young people overdose and die. Mothers, fathers, children—they are all at risk of developing drug addictions in today’s world, and no community is safe from this issue. The opioid epidemic has exploded and has taken far too many lives already: it has to be addressed.
Finally, there is the issue of gentrification. In this community, certain areas of town have been gentrified to attract new residents and businesses. New investors have come in to revitalize the community. However, in doing so, they have displaced thousands who used to find those parts of town affordable and now have been priced out. The questions of what to do with these people and whether gentrification actually will work to bring in new business and tax revenue for the community need to be answered by the community.
