The Crisis
The story of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, is one that describes the horror of environmental injustice and the worst choices made by the responsible authorities. The crisis started in 2014 when the city decided to change its drinking water source from Detroit’s system to the Flint River. The same move was anticipated to lower both costs and ensure adequate water supply for the population. The same step was taken; however, it was followed by limited treatment and examination of the water, and this, in turn, led to complaints on the quality of water and health problems for the people of Flint city. All the same, these issues were neglected and overlooked by the authorities, even in the face of ever-increasing complaints (Denchak, 2018). Most residents reported that the foul-smelling and discolored water was causing skin rashes, itchiness, and loss of hair. This angered the community and resulted in a lot of tension within the city.
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission, a state founded the agency, intervened and, through their investigation, eventually concluded that the reason for the inadequate response of the officials and the authorities tasked with safeguarding the safety and the interests of the people was systemic racism rooted within the organization. With continued research on the issue, it was also pointed out that the contaminated water was also having adverse impacts on the young population. Through the same, both scientists and doctors were incorporated into maintaining the stability of the crisis.
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The media, on its hand, played a crucial role in shedding light on the crisis and allowing individuals to air and assert their opinions. Different platforms of the media highlighted profiles of responsible national leaders. The crisis got priority coverage through front-page appearances on popular publications. Also, personal views and criticism from prominent leaders and personalities were given necessary coverage through social media, making it difficult for the crisis at Flint to be ignored. The reactions of the people through several online platforms prompted and contributed towards the need for reforms.
With the rising tensions, residents of the city went to court, suing the city and state officials in a bid to securing safe drinking water. True to the same, in November 2016, a federal judge supported Flint residents and demanded that door to door delivery of clean water be done swiftly. Moreover, a big win came in March with a significant agreement requiring the city to replace all the lead pipes. The state was demanded to fund the project, with courts seeking to ensure that the people returned to a safe environment.
Strategies to Prevent Future Catastrophe
As a Criminal Justice Consultant, I believe that there are myriads of strategies that can be implemented to avoid a re-occurrence. Involving professionals in the decision-making process is the initial and primary strategy towards a better understanding of the crisis (Hardcastle, 2016). Significant financial decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. It is almost impossible for professional engineers, licensed plumbers, and water treatment experts to make bogus decisions, which means that the Flint Water Crisis was as a result of the incorporation of unprofessionalism into the industry. For the future safety of the people, there is a demand that professionals be incorporated into the decision-making chain.
Also, there is a need for awareness creation. The catastrophe at Flint resulted in the contamination of water with toxic lead metal, with residents getting exposed without knowledge of the water contents. The dangers of lead poisoning are always downplayed, which was so as in the case of Flint. However, to avoid such occurrences in the future, educating the residents and the authorities managing the different sectors on the dangers of lead will help save lives and avert crisis as in the question. Authorities should also be demanded to communicate accurately and timely in the event of a contamination claim.
Lastly, diversity should be trained and emphasized in organizations that control services used by multi-cultured communities. Employees who embrace culture are more likely to serve clients without any discrimination. The training should target all races, ethnicities, social classes, and persons living with disabilities. When an accommodating culture is instilled and embraced, the employees in a public initiative are most likely to serve a community of different cultures and classes with dignity and respect. Also, I would advise government entities to provide regulations that demand the inclusion of residents in the workforce of a similar nature. The presence of a local from Flint among the team managing Flint water services would have fast-tracked the communication and control of the crisis.
Crime Rates Comparison
According to the FBI, as cited in Areavibes (2020), the average crime rate in Flint during the crisis was 115 percent more than the average crime rate in Michigan. When compared to the national figure, Flint’s average crime rate surpassed the national average by 75 percent. On violent crimes such as armed burglaries, muggings, and armed robbery, Flint’s average was at 304 percent more than Michigan’s average and 378 percent more than the national average. Property crime recorded the lowest disparities but still portrayed high levels of crime in Flint than Michigan. Flint’s property crime rate was at an average of 63 percent more than Michigan's average and 23 percent more than the national average.
Conclusion
There is a tendency for an increased crime rate during moments of crises. Several factors may be linked to this trend as it was in the case study in Flint. Such disasters often lead to security officers attending to emergency issues related to the crisis, more than they would have taken care of security matters. With that lapse on security issues, criminals take advantage of the moment and take part in more crimes. Also, elevated levels of stress, an effect of a crisis, gets a tolling impact on the mental strength of residents, leaving them easily irritated and responsive to provocations. The high levels of psychological stress contribute to the increased crime rate. Criminal justice systems should take caution and fill security gaps and lapses caused by crises.
References
Areavibes. (2020). Flint, MI crime rates & crime map . https://www.areavibes.com/flint-mi/crime/
Denchak, M. (2018, November 8). Flint water crisis: Everything you need to know . NRDC. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know
Hardcastle, J. L. (2016, January 1). How to prevent another Flint water crisis . Environment + Energy Leader. https://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/02/how-to-prevent-another-flint-water-crisis/
