We Must Raise A Red Flag The Size Of Vatican City Essay

It’s around midnight on Saturday. I’m with my friend Jalen at a house party in the west side of Denver. Everyone’s having a good time, when all of a sudden gunshots ring out. Instantaneously, both of us run in the opposite direction of the gunshots we heard; it’s obvious we’re not exactly rookies to this kind of situation. The city and county of Denver has always had problems when it comes to gang violence, but only recently has this violence escalated to the immense issue it is today. I only just recently moved to Denver, and I can already tell that gangs are a major problem here-- that should raise a red flag the size of Vatican City. As an educated African American who has grown up in less-than nurturing environments, I have had much contact with gang members and witnessed gang activity. I extremely urge the policy makers, law enforcement, and gang members--gang violence is an increasingly deadly issue in Denver that affects the lives of many dif ferent groups of people, and it needs to change. People with all different backgrounds that live in Denver are having their lives changed due to gang violence. Gang violence in certain areas of Denver has desensitized the residents. One neighborhood where gang violence has had a greatly negative impact is the Cole neighborhood, just northeast of downtown Denver. According to an August 18, 2016, article from the Denver Post titled â€Å"Surging gang violence in northeast Denver neighborhood has residents on high alert†,