John Robinson On Gangs
Earlier, I did a post entitled, “The News & Record On Violence & Gangs,” in recognition of articles on those issues in this week’s paper. This evening, a friend called and alerted me to an interesting comment by N&R editor John Robinson on one of his own blog posts:
“We’ve sniffed around before and couldn’t find any real indication that gangs are quite the problem that some people think they are. A problem, yes. Pervasive, no. I’ve heard talk that the three homicides of teenagers lately were all gang-related. Police don’t tell us that, though. Only one of them might be, they say.
It’s a sexy topic, though. I’m just not sure it is one of those overriding public interest issues. But we’ll ask around some again.”
I’m going to hold my thoughts on that, and instead, share the next two comments on the thread:
“Good Lord. There is just so much to assail in JR’s last comment, I don’t know where to start.” — Dr. Mary Johnson
“‘Not sure’ that gangs present an ‘overriding public interest,’ John? Maybe not in Starmount, but how about taking up residence in one of GSO’s housing projects for a week and reporting back to us?” — Elizabeth Wheaton
What they said. And then some. Thanks, ladies.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Jeri,
Perhaps I should have phrased my comment, “N&R management and city leaders.” as the last couple of years have shown me how much those at the top either don’t know or don’t care to admit.
After all, it’s hard to sell a town with a gang problem to those in the “creative class.”
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:53 am
I have stated in my blog that gangs are an issue in Greensboro . I have evidence that they are far more pervasive than most think . There was a night when a lantern kicked by a cow was not a big issue at first .We have an opportunity now to cut the head off of the snake before it gets to big to fight.
July 13th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Billy:
Man, I beg to differ.
We reporters — the ones in the trenches — are out there every week shaking the bushes all over town.
Now, I know I’ve been out out the numerous times with the homeless on Wendover, and this week, I’ve listened to teenagers talk about violence, heard a minister in east Greensboro go off on the problems teenagers face and talked to residents about hearing gunshots, sirens at night in their working-class neighborhood. And listen, I ain’t the only one here at the N&R doing that. A big problem? We don’t have enough bodies in the newsroom.
So, Billy, please don’t tar us with the same socioeconomic brush and say we’re out of touch.
July 13th, 2007 at 12:30 am
I’m afraid The N&R along with city leaders are simply out of touch with the lower income parts of our “community.”
I’m sure, if not for the work you do you might agree with JR but like me you see it every day.