FINGER-POINTING TIME

It's a common reaction, almost a reflex.

When faced with failure, many people are more comfortable blaming others than blaming themselves.

Such is the case with Milwaukee Police Chief Nan Hegerty.

From The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee police arrested 14,000 people, snagged 200 guns and grabbed 37 pounds of cocaine - all in just three months this summer.

Despite such seemingly impressive numbers, crime continues to surge, fueled by what Police Chief Nannette Hegerty calls a "societal crisis" unfolding in neighborhoods gripped by unstable families, few jobs, rampant drug use, teen pregnancy, and topped with a significant dose of anger and hopelessness, the chief said.

Faced with such challenges, police can't do it all, she said.

"This is a problem bigger than law enforcement," Hegerty said Wednesday. "I think we have a societal crisis."

More evidence of that surfaced Wednesday. A man who participated in Special Olympics was shot and killed Tuesday in a robbery, and an 11-year-old girl was gang-raped earlier in the week by as many 19 people.

In parts of the city where shootings and other violence have become commonplace, the crimes were noteworthy for their senselessness and brutality.

The crimes were unrelated and coincidentally broke on the day Hegerty chose to talk about her department's summer accomplishments. The day's overall message seemed to be that police officers are busy but deep problems persist.

According to Hegerty, the police department is stretched thin, but the real problem is a "societal crisis."

The police chief says that the crime problem is "bigger than law enforcement."

That's not very good. It's not very reassuring to the public when the chief of police says that policing is not the answer, and managing crime is above her pay grade.

Of course, there are underlying social issues that contribute to crime.

No parental guidance, children having children, is a huge factor.

I really don't think that crime is a matter of hopelessness. I think that crime stems from a lack of personal responsibility.

Some use poverty as an excuse for engaging in crimimal behavior.

Sorry, not in America.

In this country, we have opportunity. Granted, some people are far, far more fortunate than others, being born into privilege.

But, in the final analysis, it comes down to personal effort, hard work, and commitment.

GET AN EDUCATION AND BE RESPONSIBLE.

How does one do that?

Step one: GO TO SCHOOL, SHOW UP.

Step two: Work hard to get good grades. Then, go to college or learn a trade.

Step three: DON'T BREAK THE LAW.

Step four: RESPECT OTHERS.

Step five: RESPECT YOURSELF.

I don't like Hegerty's "Don't blame me" attitude. She's getting paid to be the chief of police, not chief of excuses.

Lately, Hegerty has spent far too much time explaining why the mess in Milwaukee is not her fault.

Instead of talking about why her police department can't handle the crime epidemic, Hegerty should be demanding that resources be made available to get tough, really tough, on crime.

Talk of "deeper problems" and "societal crisis" is a sign of surrender.

Blaming crime on some vague, abstract crisis is a cop-out.

I suppose it's unfair to put the entire burden for Milwaukee's lawlessness on Hegerty. Where are community leaders?

The city does have a mayor, doesn't it?