I"m reacting to the comments of Mr. Balfour's mothers' comments'to the media. Requardless if her son has had ANY involvement in these heinous crimes, she is obviously an enabler to her son, who is undeniably a SOCIOPATH. Sugar-coating her sons's past conviction and arrests, trying to uplift him as an irresistable catch to women, implying that his estranged wife has set him up? Huh?
I feel safe in saying that Mr.Balfour was a defiant, incorrigable boy and quided by his mother's 'love' he is the x-con that he is, today. What makes him so vunerable that trouble always seems to find him?

I have to agree w/ the beginning of the blogger "Karen's" commment. The problem in our community is that we are a community of "enablers". From the selling of drugs to the thug-land environment, all these things are perpetrated by those from within the community.

These things persist most times without any challenges from the family that their in even though everyone knows what that person is in to.

It's something that for the simplest problems we have to bring in experts simply to refresh us on the fundamentals of life. It's not rocket science as to what our problems are it's denial that we are the problem.

Ridding urban communities of violence will take a comprehensive, "All hands on deck" approach. Churches and schools must preach and teach non-violence and effective conflict resolution. Law enforcement and courts must employ zero tolerance policies and citizens must support those efforts. Government and private industry must work together to create good jobs and even greater neighborhoods. Media like GML must continue to shine the brightest light possible on the issue. The next president, the Mayor and all elected officials must declare a state of emergency. Most importantly, each of us must take ownership of the issue and accept responsibility for its resolve. Point your finger at that face in the mirror!

Mr. Balford's mother seems to have a firm hand in shaping her son's SOCIOPATHIC behaviors. Her comments' to the media sugar-coat his past conviction and arrests. There isnt a doubt that this was a defiant and incorrigable boy who has grown into an x-con of a man with his mother' support!
His mothers'(and mother's like her)lack of responsible parenting skills. These 'parent(s) in part, the reason why our streets arent safe, today.

Will the discussion of violence in our community really help? Will the discussions really address the root cause -- lack of self esteem amongst people in urban communities. If we really loved ourselves for who we are and our contribution to mankind, I am sure the solutions offered by Dr. Carl Bell and others would help. If you do not love yourself or think you matter, no discussions will help.

This may call for EXTREME measures, i.e., public flogging, send those who maim and murder to places like Darfur, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan...to fight for the rights of others since it is obvious they do not cherish the rights of others here in the US.

Just a thought.

Is there a solution? These kids aren't afraid of GOD, there is no love of life, no self respect, no love of self! No home training, no introduction to the BIBLE in these homes. Everyone is trying to get their "party on." No kind of upbringing. Mentoring doesn't work. Jobs aren't the answer, because they watch too much TV and don't want to work hard for little pay. They want every like McDonalds "their way" and fast.

It does start at home. And it begins at birth. If you don't start from birth, instilling values and respect of life and GOD, training from birth..you've lost the battle by the time their four or five. People must get involved in their kids lives. Take time out with their kids, and stop trying to be their friends and hang out with them and their friends.

Parents need to take time out "to care about their children." For these generation of kids young kids out there, it may be too late!

We've taking the one important factor out of the equation and until that factor is restored there will be no end to this solution.

We've take GOD out of the equation. NO LOVE OR FEAR OF GOD! Because they don't even think not only the consequences here on earth, for their evil doings, but we all will have to give an account.

We are in the third decade of the crack epidemic and we as African Americans are not doing what we need to do! It’s not just irresponsible men but women also. We have girls and boys who think they are grown but they are not. Unless you are mentally, spiritually, emotionally and financially able to raise a family, think before you have any kids. We as people need to do a better job with our selection of mates. Ladies stop looking for the thug, drug dealer, smooth talking pretty boy. Ladies what is wrong with intelligence, moral values, state of mind, how they treat people and yes having a job. Men lets focus on more then just what a woman looks like and we need to stop taken advantage of a weakness or insecurity they might have. Sensitivity, intelligence, morals, adventuress, compassions and hardworking are some of the skills that I appreciate in a woman.

Hello Garrard,

People in the community need to take a stand. They need to declare war on the people that are pushing drugs, gang banging, and running around the community with guns killing people. The police will serve and protect the community but they need the peoples help and support. When incidents happen to many times people will jump in front of the TV camera and say that the police assassinated that young man, they did him wrong he was not doing anything, or they planted a gun on so and so. When its known to the people terrorizing the community that no one is going to provide them with cover from the police they will have no where to turn and that there is serious consequences for your actions. When the police show up dont be affraid to point out the bad ones, freind, neighbor, relative, whoever, even if its one of your own, let them know I can not and will not help you if you do things like this. I have also seen kids, young adults, and parents walking around with shirts on that say "stop snitching". What kind of message does that send? I will tell you, its send the message to the bad ones that you can do whatever you want because I did not see anything.

Let me also say that praying is not working, actions speak louder than words. To mnay times the people run to their Reverand and claim the police are the ones terrorizing the coummunity. The Reverands then turn up the heat on the elected officials and the higher ups in the police department. Then when incidents happen and people call the police, they show up and write a report. The police are not going to actively run up and down the streets of the community fighting crime when they have zero support from the community itself. This is what is happening right now. The bad ones in the community are selling drugs, gang banging, and killing because they have been given a blaket of cover. Then people ask why is this happening? People say all we can do is pray, pray that god will stop the violence. God is not going to stop the violence, we the people have the power to stop the violence. Come on people step up, take a stand, lets take our community's back and make them great places to live, raise our kids, and enjoy ourselves.

Let me also say I am not against church. Church is a place for me to go for scripture, to go as an individual and ask the lord to forgive me for my sin's, and pray that good things happen for my family, friends, and myself. When I need advice and am not comfortable talking to family or friends I can go to chruch and ask my pastor, minister, or revrand for advice. People today are using the churches as a safe haven. We have watched people that have commiteed crimes run to the church, people wanted by the police run to the church before they turn themselves in, or run to the church because imigration agency is looking for them. Thats not what the church is for, church is a place of worship.

This is just some opinions and ideas that I have. I am sure that there are many of good people out there with great opinions and ideas as well.

Is there a solution? These kids aren't afraid of GOD, there is no love of life, no self respect, no love of self! No home training, no introduction to the BIBLE in these homes. Everyone is trying to get their "party on." No kind of upbringing. Mentoring doesn't work. Jobs aren't the answer, because they watch too much TV and don't want to work hard for little pay. They want every like McDonalds "their way" and fast.

It does start at home. And it begins at birth. If you don't start from birth, instilling values and respect of life and GOD, training from birth..you've lost the battle by the time their four or five. People must get involved in their kids lives. Take time out with their kids, and stop trying to be their friends and hang out with them and their friends.

Parents need to take time out "to care about their children." For these generation of kids young kids out there, it may be too late!

We've taking the one important factor out of the equation and until that factor is restored there will be no end to this epidemic.

We've take GOD out of the equation. NO LOVE OR FEAR OF GOD! Because they don't even think not only the consequences here on earth, for their evil doings, but we all will have to give an account.

You know what is the most upsetting? Our black people still not having a fair or should I say equal opportunity when it comes to Jobs, education, healthcare, etc. I live in Englewood graduated from college and still in school to get turned down for many jobs making me wonder what am I going to school for? But I continue. Dr. Bell I want to know why my son has been at the community Mental health council and has been ignored by a Dr. Williamson who was his doctor for Bipolar disorder? I am a parent who goes above and beyond to know what is going on with my kids and to reach out to the community mental health council and be treated like my son was just another case was beyond my understanding of what help do you all offer? But I still have faith in help with some orgainzations. And a change will occur when GOD says he is tired of the craziness of this world. People don't have the right to pursue happiness that our Constitution so greatly put it and i people had that right without all the judgement of the poeple who make dsecisions people will be happy. Like for inmates once they do their time they should be able to get a job and pursue happiness but so many mess up again because of the opportunites they don't have! They are angry and going to continue to be angry until this country says were are not going to judge a book by its cover but read and learn it or understanding give them a chance in this life!

WERE DOES THE ANGER COME FROM! IT HAS TO STOP. CAPTIAL PUNISHMENT IT MAY WORK.
WE NEED TO GET THESE KIDS WHILE THEY ARE YOUNG AGES 7 & 8. THEY MIMIC THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM, IF THEY DON'T HAVE GOOD ROLE MODELS THEY FALL AS PRODUCTS OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE TWO BOYS AND MY NINE YEAR OLD TOLD ME HE'S TIRED OF POLICE SIRENS, HE JUST WANTS ONE DAY WITH NO ONE GETTING HURT. AS A PARENT HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN WHATS GOING ON IN THIS CRAZY WORLD TO SUCH YOUNG KIDS.

First of all violence in our communities is not something new. This has been occurring for several years. It has gotten worst. If we as a community don't try and put and end to it now it will continue to get worst. In my opinion this is a result of years and years of oppresion. The vast majority of the households in these violent communities are infested with drug users, drug sellers, gang members...etc. Its a downward spiral.

Fixing it will take lots of time, dedication, determination, effort, money, and A COMMUNITY THAT IS READY AND WILLING TO END THE NON-SENSE. We have to WAKE UP. We need to realize things aren't getting better and they will never get better if we don't take care of them.

Our youth today are lost. There is little or no love in the homes. Families very seldom sit down and have dinner together anymore. Most homes are single parent homes, in which that parent must work full time, and maybe even a part time job to support her/his children. Its hard coming home from working all day, helping a child with his homework, cooking dinner, making sure everything that need to get done gets done. How can one parent make sure each child gets the attention that he/she may need, work full-time, teach the child life lessons, make sure the house is clean, get involved in the childs education at school, I means its difficult. Don't get me wrong it has been many people who've made it with single parent homes. The reality is that many more won't.

It's a known fact that people in these crime infested communities are scared to call the police in fear of their lives being taken. It's also a fact that sometimes the police don't respond to calls in a timely manner or don't respond at all. If we work together with the police we can make a difference.

Lace of education in a comminity is a big reason why so many communities have high crime rates. Chicago has one of the worst if not the worst school system. I am a product of CPS. If I wasn't the type of student who enjoyed school, or didn't need extra help, the system may have felled me. In high schol we didn't have a math teacher for a whole year. This happens a lot. My brother now goes to a charter shcool and he doesn't have a Spanish teacher. So parents need to get involved in their children's school. I thought the lottery was supposed to fund education in Illinois, I guess thats not a fact. Schools don't have books, they don't have computers, classrooms are overcrowded, the appearance of a lot of schools are horrible, a lot of teachers don't care, we're so quick to suspend or expel students. It seems like no one cares. If we don't let these children know we care and we're there for them, they will not care either. They'll join gangs and find a life in the streets.

I try and talk to the youth in my area. I let them know I'm here to talk to them and help them out in anyway I can. I try and tell them there is a better life outside of this neighborhood. If all these children see is negativity, then thats all they will know. So the solution starts at home...then we can take it to school and other places. I definately know its up to us. TOGETHER WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL!

WHAT'S NEEDED ARE REAL BLACK MEN TO TAKE BACK COMMUNITIES FROM THE DIABOLICAL PUNKS, SCUM, DRUG DEALERS, KILLERS AND LOSERS THAT ARE TERRORIZING EVERYONE. WHEN IT WAS THE KKK AND RACIST WHITES MAKING BLACK MEN SIT IN THE BACK OF THE BUS, DENYING ACCESS TO PUBLIC PLACES, MAKING THEM WALK IN THE GUTTER AND FORBIDDING THEM BEING IN WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS AFTER DARK,ETC BLACK MEN SAID THEY WERE WILLING TO STOP RACIST WHITES BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. WELL HELL ITS TIME FOR PANTY WAISTED COWARDS STOP HIDING IN THE HOUSE AND HIDING BEHIND BLACK WOMEN AS USUAL AND TAKE BACK THEIR COMMUNIUTIES FROM BLACK TERRORIST BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. ENOUGH. OFF ENOUGH THEY WILL SOON GET THE MESSAGE.

Hi! my name is Renee Brown, i have a son by the name of, Nicholas Brown, and he's been missing since May 14th 2008. He was last seen running from the police in the building of 2961 S. Dearborn, and disappeared after that. The detective Berry from 51st, wentworth is om the case, but no progress. Please e-mail us back to let us know that u have read it. I have a missing persons report out, and i got no help.