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Year in Review
2020's shooting surge was overwhelming and in many cities unprecedented. But for outreach workers and other experts, it also led to new ideas and approaches.
Gun Rights
The National African American Gun Association was founded as a refuge from the discrimination and fear that often come with being Black and armed in America. Thousands of new members have joined its ranks in 2020.
Suicide
One week into November, Cook County has nearly matched a ten-year high for annual suicides among Black residents.
How We Fix This
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposal prioritizes police reforms and expansions to social services. How officials will accomplish their goals is left unanswered.
READI addresses shootings by tackling joblessness, but without public funding, its future is in doubt.
Officials say it’s “all hands on deck” to quell the sudden increase in deaths.
Community Violence
Roberto Aspholm spent years researching the transformation of the city’s gangs. He says law enforcement in Chicago hasn’t caught up.
Halfway through 2020, the number of Black residents of Cook County who’ve died by suicide has already surpassed last year’s total. “Ignoring the issue until it becomes a crisis has become the method of treatment,” says one mental health advocate.
As shootings rise and the pandemic continues, street outreach workers are juggling multiple roles to preserve community health.
Shootings typically jump during summer months. Gun violence prevention groups hope reinforcements can stem the tide.
Coronavirus & Guns
In many cities, gun violence is dealing a double blow to black communities already ravaged by the pandemic. Community outreach workers are struggling to keep up.
The city says crime is down in March. But experts warn it’s too early to draw conclusions as to why.
Street outreach workers are doubling as messengers on avoiding infection.
