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Posted Wednesday, April 01, 2009 11:20 AM

After a triple murder, Readers reevaluate Compton

Kurt Soller
Over the weekend, three people were shot dead in Compton. The event comes at a peculiar time for NEWSWEEK, and especially for Jessica Bennett, who put together a forward-looking package on Compton last week. "Two decades later, Compton has a new lease on life," she wrote. "The community is still poor, and unemployment is more than twice the national average. But the number of homicides is at a 25-year low, slashed in half from 2005."

Three homicides might not change that, but it did remind many NEWSWEEK readers that Compton's still in need of change. "Three people were maliciously gunned down and all you say is that 'Compton got it's groove back'?," asked one reader, before adding: "It's irresponsible "writers" like you who have no idea what you are writing about. You sneak in during the day, see a few retail outlets, built on the outskirts of a ghetto and basically lied." Other readers from the area agreed, noting that the appreciate the positive outlook on the community, but feel the city still has a lot of work ahead. "Compton has made great strides from the shadows where it once was," wrote commenter ag.primed. "The sad truth, though, is that it won't last. Not to be a naysayer about the ability of the citizens to change; it is the leaders of the city who will erase Compton's successes." Another reader noticed that, "Very, very little has changed. There are some changes, but they are largely cosmetic. However, there are still gunshots EVERY SINGLE NIGHT."

Jessica's piece was tenured largely on crime stats, which make it clear that Compton is trading its past for a new image. Even prior to this weekend's tragedy, that message hit home with many readers, who appreciated the positive message behind the article. "These comments are really sad," wrote one reader. "I've lived in Compton my entire life and no one has pulled a gun on me. I've never been on welfare and I have plenty of Black and Mexican friends who are hardworking and educated. The solution is not to desert Compton, but to improve it." Commenter rjorgy agreed, adding that Jessica's article should be seen as inspiring. "It is really good to hear that the murder rate has dropped so significantly. Give the city some credit where credit is due."

As the original story mentions, it will take time -- and new programs -- for Compton to become a renewed city. After the piece was live, the author heard from one of her sources, Albert Camarillo, a professor at Stanford University who grew up in Compton. Here's what he said: "Compton became known in the media as the 'murder capital' of the nation, a reputation as a ghetto of gangs, drugs and violence. They are pushing back, albeit not without tension, conflict, and misunderstanding among themselves. But these tensions exist alongside efforts to bring residents together, and this is the important story about the city that must be told."

So, while a triple murder is a tragic afterword, it doesn't erase the successes that Compton has had. As Jessica told me earlier this week: "By all accounts, Compton has suffered a volatile past. As I wrote in the piece, gang life is still a right of passage for many young people here, and last weekend's triple-homicide is a painful reminder that violence is still very much a part of daily life. But there are many,many people who are working tirelessly to turn Compton around, and I do believe we're beginning to see the trickle-down effect of that effort. Remaking a city isn't easy; But there is hope in Compton, and you don't have to go far into the community to see it."
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Member Comments

Posted By: Mexicans vs Blacks!!! (April 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM)

Thank you NewsWeek for taking the time to read my comments.

And further thanks for adding them into the piece above. Nice job Kurt.

Sorry Sarah and Jessica, you haven't lived out here long enough to know what's up.

Sorry to "burst your bubble".

John Martin

Carson, CA

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Posted By: PacificGatePost (April 1, 2009 at 8:43 PM)

THE WAR ON DRUGS IS A WAR ON OUR OWN SOCIETY

Prohibition strains the Constitution and The War on Drugs has been a misguided failure. END IT.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/04/war-on-drugs-time-for-change.html

Time to regain control of our streets and our sanity.

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