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The youth murder rate according to the CDC has hit a thirty-year low across all racial groups but a little slower for Black teens. While this is positive news, it is not being widely trumpeted. One dead teen is one too many so while the rate is trending downward, can we identify what may have been working and how can we improve upon the latest downward trend.

While the CDC analysis did not identify reasons behind these trends, Other research has pointed toward things like the crack cocaine epidemic, drug-related crime, an increase in weapon carrying, and a weak economy as some of the factors in the sharp rise in homicides in the late ’80s and early ’90s. As those factors abated, the homicide rate dropped sharply.

Since most of the murders are happening in high poverty areas of the country, do we need to put more pressure on local, state and federal governments to create jobs programs, should we be looking at putting pressure on private employers, creating opportunities ourselves or a mixture of all the above. What about calling for an end to the Drug War which also impacts the mass incarceration of our youth with few economic opportunities.

Give us a call and tell us what you think about the thirty-year low in the murder rates of young brothers and sisters.