We must work together

The year 2020 has come with crazy times. Many people have taken advantage of the things that have arrived with it.

According to the FBI’s Preliminary Uniform Crime Report that studied the first six months of 2020 compared to the first six months of 2019, the number of murder and manslaughter offenses have increased 14.8% and aggravated assault offenses were up 4.65%. These are big spikes in crime activity between only a year’s difference.

Violent crime has decreased in three regions but the South’s violent crimes have increased by 2.5%. As well as a 19.2% increase in arson offenses nationwide.

These statistics may have had something to do with the increase in police brutality, the recent election, COVID-19, prejudices involving people of color and many other communities, or the mental health crisis. No matter the reason, we have to discuss a solution to stop the violence occurring in the United States. People shouldn’t be scared to be involved in one of these statistics. We need to come together as a country and strive throughout the chaos instead of creating differences and exploiting them.

Keely Meachem

Spokane