Watch CBS News

Keller @ Large: Murder Makes A Comeback

BOSTON (CBS) -  Murder is making a comeback across our country, big-time.

The New York Times reports at least 35 U.S. cities are reporting a jump in murders and other violent crimes this year. Among the hardest hit – Milwaukee, up 76 percent over last year, St. Louis, up 60 percent, and Baltimore, up 56 percent.

Here in Boston, we're relatively lucky. In Chicago, there have been 294 murders in the first eight months of 2015, while Boston has had "only" 19.

But there is no cause for complacency when you consider what we know about the reasons behind the murder wave elsewhere.

Or, rather, what we don't know.

Some claim a year of heightened controversy over the use of deadly force by police has made them more reluctant to engage potential killers. Others point to a chronic homicide generator, gang wars over drug turf, and police remain furious about the easy availability of guns.

But experts told the Times there's one thing they agree on, that there's "a growing willingness among disenchanted young men in poor neighborhoods to use violence to settle ordinary disputes."

There will always be people who will turn to violence out of ignorance, mental illness, drug addiction or desperation. But if we can't reverse the tide of armed hand-grenades out in the streets with itchy fingers on the trigger, then we don't have a Milwaukee problem or a Baltimore problem.

We have a shredded moral fabric problem that no gun control laws or police crackdown can contain.

And don't think for a second that it can't get out of control here.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News weeknights at 11 p.m.

Email Jon at keller@wbztv.com or reach him on Twitter @kelleratlarge.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.