Khadija Usman Shar
The grim spectre of street crime continues to haunt the masses of financial hub. Despite many boasts and brags, the predicament of street crime seems to be intractable. The recent incidents of street crime happened to be in limelight in various neighborhoods accentuate the urgent need for comprehensive measures to curb this menace. The street crime has long been a knotty issue while the nonchalant attitude of the authorities to solve this abstruse problem is manifested in the fact that the street crime has got to be escalating over the years without any effective intervention. With each criminal activity, the police spring into action which dampens the crime only in the interim. But, with the conditions return to normalcy, the criminals also be back on the streets underscoring the fact that short term measures are not panacea of this sprawling malaise. The extremist religious groups are breeding ground for the criminals. Also, the lack of political will to eliminate the problem is also a root cause. Because, these criminals are patronised by the powerful people who use them to promote their interest in exchange for protection. Besides, there are several other factors contributing to the spike in street crime, including unemployment, poverty, and inadequate policing to name a few. Without a shadow of doubt, addressing underlying problems is a protracted phenomenon, at first place, the government should implement stringent measures to halt the vicious cycle of street crime. However, for eradicating the problem for good, it is imperative that the authorities address these root causes through a multi-pronged approach that includes not only law enforcement but also socio-economic initiatives aimed at providing opportunities for the marginalized segments of society. Moreover, by shirking our responsibility, it will be unjust to blame only authorities. It is high time for greater community involvement in crime prevention endeavours. In addition, citizen patrols, and awareness campaigns can play a significant role in dissuading criminal activities and fostering a sense of solidarity among residents. As concerned citizens, we beseech the relevant authorities to take instantaneous action to address this issue before it spirals out of control. Karachi is known for its resilience, and it is hoped that , it will be made safer for everyone.
