Gary, Ind., Blames Drugs, Guns for Title of U.S. Murder Capital
GARY, Ind. — The mayor of this former steelmaking center said Monday that Gary had earned the unenviable title of U.S. murder capital.
“It’s the result of too many guns, too many drugs and not enough jobs,†Gary Mayor Thomas Barnes said at a news conference.
Barnes also blamed a shortage of police for the lawlessness in this city of 120,000, a few miles from Chicago.
A record 110 murders were committed in Gary last year, computing to a nationwide high of 91 murders per 100,000 residents. That was slightly higher than the per-capita homicide rate in Washington, D.C., which has held the title alongside Detroit in recent years.
Mortician Paul Robinson said his business is too good, and he has decided to do something about it.
He makes appearances at local schools, bringing along a mock coffin containing a mirror to allow schoolchildren to reflect on the potential victims of violence.
“When you ask school kids how many knew a friend or relative who died a violent death, 90% will raise their hands,†Robinson said.
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