On the South Side of Chicago, residents seemed far less preoccupied with President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy National Guard troops than with the daily battles playing out in their neighbourhoods—struggles over youth, opportunity, and safety.
Driving through areas long notorious for violent crime, the scale of the challenge was visible. In Bronzeville, a historically significant but crime-affected neighbourhood, we visited the block where a drive-by shooting left seven people wounded just last weekend. The location is a mere block from Chicago Police Headquarters, a stark reminder of how close violence can strike even in the shadow of law enforcement. Over the Labor Day weekend alone, at least 58 people were shot across the city, eight fatally.
President Trump, citing these numbers, has promised that the National Guard would “go in” to help tackle what he described as Chicago’s “out-of-control” crime problem. This follows similar threats in cities like Los Angeles and Washington DC, yet city and state officials have vowed to resist. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called Trump’s proposal “unhinged,” emphasising that it is neither necessary nor appropriate.
We Are the Troops’: Chicago Communities Push Back as Trump Threatens National Guard Deployment
In reality, violent crime in Chicago has seen a notable decline over the past two years. Between January and June, the homicide rate dropped by roughly a third compared to the same period last year, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. Shootings also fell by more than 700 incidents last year alone.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling underscored the practical limits of military involvement in policing. “The National Guard does not have police powers. They don’t have the power of arrest,” he explained. “Any effective deployment would require close coordination with our department. If I could have more officers, I’d absolutely take them, but troops alone are not a solution.”
For those working on the frontlines of community intervention, the problem is complex. Rob White, a coach mentoring young men away from gang life, reflected on the impact of violence on residents. “You can imagine how people feel when attacks like this happen right under their noses, next to a fortified police building,” he said.
White’s colleague, Kanoya Ali, pointed out that the community is already mobilizing to protect itself. “The outcome is already happening,” he said. “The troops are already here. We are the troops.” Their message resonates across South Side neighborhoods: local residents, community organizers, and nonprofits like Chicago CRED are actively working to curb gun violence through mentorship, education, and intervention programs.
Trump’s threats, however, sparked tension in public discourse. On Friday, he announced plans to send troops to another unnamed city, framing the deployment as a measure to combat crime. Meanwhile, a segment of Chicago residents welcomed the idea. “You’ve got to get rid of the criminals. This city’s crazy, too much crime—it’s common sense,” shouted 68-year-old Tom Stack from his porch, his voice carrying across the street where American flags and “Blue Lives Matter” banners adorned fences.
But many experts and local leaders argue that militarization is not the answer. White emphasized the importance of sustained community investment. “Funding cuts to local crime prevention programs have only made the situation worse,” he said. These programs, particularly those targeting the flow of illegal weapons from states with looser gun laws, are credited with reducing violence over the long term.
Trump has previously defended cuts to federal support for crime prevention, accusing Democrat-led cities of embracing “radical left” or “woke” policies. Critics counter that reducing support for local initiatives undermines long-term safety, and that the focus should be on bolstering interventions that prevent youth from entering gangs in the first place.
In White’s makeshift classroom, a dozen young men gathered around a table as he spoke passionately about the work of Chicago CRED. Programs like theirs aim to mentor and redirect at-risk youth, illustrating a grassroots approach to crime prevention that focuses on education, guidance, and community support rather than militarized intervention.
The debate over Trump’s National Guard threats underscores a deeper tension: the struggle between federal authority and local solutions. While crime remains a pressing concern in Chicago, many community members argue that sustainable solutions will come from within, not from the imposition of outside military forces.
As Chicago prepares for what may be a politically charged showdown over federal intervention, local leaders, residents, and nonprofit organizations are sending a clear message: the battle for safety and opportunity is already underway—and it’s being fought by the people who live in these neighborhoods every day.
source – bbc
