Gillispie's concern was driven home this week by a series of shootings involving youngsters and guns. Most disturbing to police is that the shootings just don't make sense. Wayne Duff, who oversees investigations of crimes against people. That's the reason it's alarming. No one can tell us what problem requires this level of violence.
Police officers make a living trying to minimize circumstances that lead to violent crime.
If domestic violence is the issue, police can suggest counseling as an intervention step. Drug patrols can limit the environment for killings over drug deals gone awry. Without a clear-cut view of a festering problem, police are left in a position where they simply respond to a shooting after the fact. When young people are involved, it becomes even more taxing on patrol officers, many of whom are parents themselves. While police investigators attempt to keep a dispassionate view of the facts, scenes of violence still strike deeply.