Chicago Should Act Quickly

   I am not in Chicago, to know what facilities you could convert to jails and prisons. I understand, though, they have a shortage of prisons. It becomes imminent that you create prison space as quickly as possible.
   As in, within months.
   You have a crisis, with -- I believe -- 2025 shootings to date. Relying on Alderman Anthony Napolitano as the authority, three things are fueling the violence. One, the large amount of drugs being poured on the streets; Two, a high number of guns being on the streets; and, Three, an out-of-control stolen goods industry.
   So, you address each cause.
   Drugs, I do not know that the perception that the war on drugs failed didn't result in us relaxing the war on drugs too much. There has also been a resistance to incarcerating too many people, as we have noted more people are incarcerated in America than in other nations. We've had a backlash to that. And, there has been the blossoming of the libertarian belief that it is wrong to toss someone in jail, in the first place, just for drugs, for they do no one but themselves any harm.
  If drugs are a problem -- if they are fueling the violence in Chicago, perhaps you go back to fighting them. The alternative that libertarians would argue for is legalization. If you legalize the drugs, the criminal element no longer has those drugs for industry.
   I will only say, for now, that as long as the drugs are illegal, you have to fight the crime, or it will have free rein. Arrest the drug pushers as quickly as we did in times past, convict them as surely as we did back then, and reopen enough prison space to house them.
   Drugs? Hire enough police agents to track down the suppliers and dealers. Enforce things seemingly so small as possession (even if you use alternate deterrents instead of incarceration). Work with federal officials to stem the flow of drugs from their source -- Mexico or wherever.
   The second item in Alderman Napolitano list of three: Too many guns on the street. I think to skip over this. For the moment, I do not have an answer. I suppose a little bit of an answer is to enforce the laws you have, if you determine they are Constitutional. It is said Chicago has more gun control than most cities, but the laws aren't enforced.
   The third item, the large industry of stolen goods. Obviously, you need to better secure your properties, both residential and commercial. Is some of the theft is at gunpoint, during the day, so you cannot just secure the building tightly against walk-in gunmen? More officers, more patrols should at least cut into the problem.
   Chicago's problem is drawing national attention. There is concern throughout the nation. The things I mention above are surely being discussed and considered. I would say, do the things that are obvious, but do them quickly. Sitting around and musing at the problem does no good if you don't get right out and get something done.