Stop the Violence
Violence is a major concern in Chicago and an even larger problem in the First Congressional District of Illinois.
There exists an epidemic that plagues the district that is atrocious and heart-wrenching. There are recent incidents of children killed on their way to school and on their way home from school. There are also incidents of children gunned down in neighborhood parks, on their porch and sleeping in their very own bed.
As a parent I am appalled, and as a long-time resident in the district, I am fed up. More people are killed on the streets in the first district than citizens in any other part of the city.
As Congressman, I will bring to Congress the crisis that afflicts the district and remedies to combat them. I will work jointly with federal, state, and county officials in a collaborative effort to find resources and solutions on ways to resolve this crisis. I will advocate for the increasing of funding for after school programs, community service providers, and summer programs for our youth.
This is an effort to get our youth off the streets and corners and in a more productive setting. Statistics indicates that there is a correlation to the decrease in funding for these services and an increase in violent crimes.
The issues that are a major problem in the first district are consistently overlooked in Congress. The youth today are not the children of 40 years ago. We need change and we need it now. We should not vote based on popularity, but rather the person who has knowledge and understanding of ways to battle this crisis. If we continue with the same policies, we can only expect the same results.
The future of our kids is greatly dependent upon the decisions we make today. The future is in our hands and it is up to us, as responsible citizens, to make the right decisions. Working together, we can make this a reality. I cannot do this without your support and I ask you to help make it possible.
Elect Fred Smith
First Congressional District of Illinois
March 20, 2012