A sad situation, indeed. Rise in crime is almost inevitable where poverty and despair is abound... and I do believe many of these people lost hope long ago. I think it's wrong to assume the city needed to be flushed... when in fact the destruction affected and disrupted the lives of many, all demographics... not just in New Orleans but in surrounding communities as well. And now the ones left behind feel just that... left behind. I suppose it is easy for some people to turn their back where they never once stood themselves.

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