East St. Louis: Hope and Change Gets Put to the Test

Will crime rates remain as they are? Or will hope and change run wild in the streets? I feel a whole lot of "teachable moments" coming on.

"It’s open field day now," said Tracy, the pastor of Straightway Baptist Church here. "The criminals are going to run wild." Gang activity. Drug dealing. Cold-blooded killing. Tracy worries that a decision to shrink the police force by almost 30 percent will bring more of everything.

The pastor voiced his concern on Friday at a raucous special City Council meeting at which East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks announced that the city will layoff 37 employees, including 19 of its 62 police officers, 11 firefighters, four public works employees, and three administrators. The layoffs take effect on Sunday.

Here's an idea for the pastor. Spend less time complaining about the mess your liberal politicians put you in and more time telling those who live amongst you to quit being turds.

 It all comes full circle...