Compassionate City

Although largely and conveniently ignored by the mainstream legacy media, I have found the recent violent footage coming out of downtown Cincinnati very concerning. In this violent brawl, several individuals were injured with one well-intentioned peacemaker seriously injured, including neurological injuries and brain trauma. Pictures of her facial bruises were just horrifying. Several arrests were made, and additional facts are sure to come to light in coming days.  I have also found troubling recent reports that many downtown Cincinnati businesses are concerned for their employee’s safety even during regular business hours and are considering a move away from downtown. It has been reported that the City of Cincinnati has a shortage of 200 police officers which certainly adds to the concern for public safety.

I have always believed that a strong and vibrant center city downtown was essential for the social and economic health of any metropolitan area. Unfortunately, it seems that the trend in Cincinnati and other cities is moving in a negative direction with businesses and residents leaving the center city and residents in the suburbs reluctant to come to the city at night because of concern for their safety.  This is a most disappointing development.

In my hometown of Louisville, KY. the former mayor regularly invoked the phase that he wanted Louisville to be “The most compassionate city in the country.”  I am sure that very few people would disagree with that desire, but what constitutes a compassionate city and what attributes should be used to define a compassionate city?

I believe that it is fair to ask if the following historical narrative is evidence of Louisville  being a compassionate city: During the last few years of the former mayor’s 12 year term in office, the Louisville Metro Police Department was reported to be at least 300 hundred officers understaffed; the police chief received an overwhelming vote of no confidence from the Fraternal Order of Police and the Louisville Metro Council but was allowed to remain on the job as the sentiments of the local FOP and Metro Council were dismissed and deemed by the mayor to be just “politics as usual with regard to any large city police chief”; and the newly hired director of the transit authority was forced to resign because of allegations of sexual harassment which were also alleged in his previous employment with another city which an adequate background check would surely have uncovered.

Louisville received constant negative national media attention for the tragic death of Breonna Taylor which in many ways could be attributed to inadequate police officer training and the failure to establish best practices for obtaining and executing a search warrant. Following Ms. Taylor’s tragic death and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the downtown center city of Louisville was largely a “war zone” for several weeks during the Spring and Summer of 2020 as law and order was largely non-existent and  lawlessness was allowed to persist with an innocent bystander killed by stray gunfire, numerous injuries to bystanders and police and serious property damage and business interruption sustained by numerous small business owners. Unfortunately, there are far more troubling details that could be added to this heartbreaking chapter in Louisville history including Louisville gaining nationwide “recognition” for downtown office vacancy as small businesses closed and larger businesses moved out of the downtown.

Did the foregoing historical narrative establish Louisville as a compassionate city which enables its citizens and businesses to flourish? If not, what are some of the attributes of a true compassionate city? Could it be a mayoral administration which places a high priority on establishing and maintaining a fully staffed police force with appropriate training for its officers; fair compensation and benefits for the officers; and a competent police chief respected by the officers with the officers empowered and supported to enforce the law and hold lawbreakers to account to ensure that the city is a safe place to live, work, and visit. Should it also include an energetic and collaborative economic development strategy to retain existing businesses and recruit new businesses which would provide additional good paying jobs for qualified candidates who desire to work? Are any of these initiatives novel or complicated to pursue? What holds any city back from undertaking these initiatives?

I am thankful that Louisville’s new mayor has taken affirmative and long overdue steps to address valid citizen concerns regarding public safety and economic development, especially in the center city. Much more needs to be done, but God bless him for taking these initial appropriate and long overdue steps.

But let’s stop and consider for a moment if Scripture says anything about the role of government and what is necessary for the citizens of a community to flourish and live in a compassionate community. I am here to tell you that Scripture has much to say. Proverbs 29.2 states that “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule the people mourn.” Jeremiah 22:3 makes clear that government should pursue justice and rescue the innocent from oppressors. Romans 13:1-4 makes clear that the role of government is an instrument of God to bring order to the community and punish lawbreakers. I Timothy 2:1-2 urges prayer for leaders to govern wisely so citizens can live peaceful and productive lives. What happens to a community when government fails to protect the lives, property, and well-being of its citizens? The whole community suffers spiritually, educationally, and economically but the poor and vulnerable in a community will always be the ones to suffer the most as they have the least resources available to protect and defend themselves.

Given the valid concerns about what happens when government fails to discharge its duties on behalf of its citizens, what should be done to address this failure? The citizens of a community should rise to the occasion and hold elected officials accountable and move affirmatively to elect honest and capable men and women who have the ability, energy, desire, and the courage to govern effectively and protect the lives, property, and well-being of the people who elected them. This is not liberal or conservative, Black, White, Hispanic, or Asian. It is just common sense for any community that desires for its citizens and businesses to flourish.

God bless you and thank you for the privilege of your time in reading my blog.