This weekend has commence with yet another spike in Gun and Knife crime in our Inner city, with stabbings in Digbeth and shots fired in Handsworth and a reported shooting in Lozells.
This is going back to the previous spike 2 years ago, and this is an issue that has been plaguing our city for the past 25 years.
For the past few years residents of St. Georges Estate in Newtown has been raising their concerns about the increasing Knife and Gun Crime in the area of Great Hampton Row in particular. This peaked two years ago when 4 people were shot and a baby was just missed by a shot that hot her child seat as she was removed from a car.
Sadly on 14th September Mekel Sterling a Local resident and father was shot and died outside the shops and, houses and flats in Great Hampton Row.
Residents feel that their concerns which were raised following the major incidents two years ago have not be treated seriously by the Authorities and many continue to live in fear as the year there have been several knife attacks and guns discharges prior to the murder of Mr Sterling.
Sadly we only appear to be collating statistics with no joined up approach. Politicians such as the PCC is allowing their personal issues to place our communities at risk and appear to hideaway when things are heating up, such as how many visits are made to communities when someone is shot or stabbed.
Politicians appear to be playing the blame game as opposed to taking responsibility in playing their part by working with all group's to tackle the epidemic that is now plaguing our city that has the vision of HS2 and also pursuing the hosting of the 2022 Common Wealth Games. Birmingham is now a divided city. Whilst there is investment in the City Centre less than a mile away there is poverty and in many cases extreme poverty, coupled with the localities being plagued with drug dealing, knife and gun crime from individuals who do not live in the locality.
This is so bad now that people who should be at peace where they live now live in fear and terror of not knowing by venturing out if they are safe, even just to go to the corner shop.
It is time for the people of Birmingham to rise up and demand accountability from the authorities; as their words are one thing but their joined up actions are very limited and effective.
We are now experiencing the predicted victim/body count in this City of vision, but is it safe.
Many residents in inner city Birmingham do not feel safe; its time for you to have your say.
A Community Meeting hoisted by Birmingham Empowerment Forum, Yes2Life, The Huda Centre and Local Churches has been arranged as follows:
Date: Thursday 19th October 2017
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Play Football - 20 Great Kings Street North Newtown Birmingham B19 2LF ( next door to the Nishkam High School)
The following has been invited:
A Representative from the WM Mayors Office (Confirmed)
West Midlands Police (Confirmed)
Birmingham Housing Department (Confirmed)
Birmingham City Council (Community Safety and Leadership) Awaiting Confirmation
Local Councillor Islam (Confirmed)
Local MP Shabana Mahmood (Confirmed)
It is important that you attend and voice your opinion, clearly, this cannot continue and its time to see if those in power really care.
Desmond Jaddoo