Street Crime

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In part one of this program, Hedrick Smith explores how the Uptown area of Chicago has dramatically lowered the rate of violent crime despite the ethnic diversity that normally spells turf wars, trouble, conflict, and violence. The critical ingredient is what Harvard social scientist Felton Earls calls social cohesion: a close-knit neighborhood and a strong community spirit developed through one of the highest concentrations of active, mutually supportive civic groups in America. In part two, Mr. Smith profiles the Blue Hills area of Kansas City, Missouri, where ordinary residents organized themselves to drive out drug dealers from their neighborhood and rehabilitate abandoned properties. Working with local churches and law enforcement agencies, these grass-roots heroes showed exemplary courage, ingenuity, and commitment in taking back their own streets from troublemakers. Both success stories are examples for other cities.