Category: Hadleyville

In the 1952 film classic “High Noon,” the fictional town of Hadleyville was the setting for an epic tale of a broken bond between a community and its marshal. There gunmen openly sought to murder the town marshal, at “high noon,” without any concern the town would stand up in support of the rule of law.

As an introduction to our discussion on “Hadleyvilles,” Secure 1776 continues to recommend reading the article entitled, “It’s High Noon for American Policing,” by Thomas Lemmer. We also recommend two other articles from Lemmer. First, “The Importance of “Us:” The Failure of Being Cast as Them.” Second,“Tragedy-Free Policing or Else: The Need for Critical Thinking.”

Ensuring that such a break in the bond between our police officers and our communities does not occur will require the active involvement of our police officers, police executives, elected officials, civic leaders, and the community-at-large.

Below, are our “In the News” posts in which we make a connection to the “Hadleyville” reference.

The Sights, Sounds, and Bloodshed of an Increasingly Lawless City

Two more weekends of violence in Chicago bear discussion, as the Hadleyville warning signs continue for the city. Video, audio, and violence statistics from the last two weekends reflect a city that continues to spiral downward. From the outside, Chicago has the look of an increasingly lawless city. As reflected in our 18 August analysis, Chicagoans are not confused. They are concerned about the city’s violence. Yet the problem continues. A video of lawlessness this weekend. Audio of lawlessness the prior weekend. Crime stats from both weekends documenting the alarming bloodshed. The last two weekends will neither help Chicago’s tourism bureau market the city, nor its residents feel better about crime.

Another Hadleyville Warning Sign for Chicago – WGN Poll

Yesterday we posted on how national polling found that Americans believe crime is out of control, and how some “reform” efforts have left American’s feeling less safe. A WGN News/Emerson College poll released today reminds us that all crime is local, with 61.8% of Chicagoans believing crime is worse this year than last. When it comes to murders and shootings, they are right. It bears noting that 2020 was a particularly violent year in Chicago, with 3,260 shooting incidents, 4,033 shooting victims, and 769 murders. From 2019, shooting incidents in 2020 were up 51.9% and murders were up 55.4%. The WGN poll also provides another Hadleyville warning sign for Chicago.

Crime is Out of Control, 70% of Voters Say So – Rasmussen

Americans believe crime is out of control. So say 70% of the respondents in an August 2021 poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports (RR) and the National Police Association. Combined, 90% of likely voters are “somewhat” to “very concerned” about the recent increase in violent crime. Quoting RR: “Voters are overwhelmingly concerned about violent crime and believe many so-called criminal justice reforms are contributing to the problem.” What does this mean?

More Warning Signs: Chicago and Hadleyville

Less than a month ago, Secure 1776 raised the question. Is Chicago a Hadleyville? We highlighted three recent news items which raised warning signs that Chicago was at risk. In light of the murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French on 7 August 2021, it is worth rereading that post. Officer French was murdered, and her partner critically wounded, while they were conducting a vehicle stop. The shooting occurred in West Englewood, a Chicago neighborhood that has long-suffered the ravages of street crime and gang violence. The murder of a police officer, while she was in the act of keeping her oath to the Constitution, is a tear in the very fabric of the community.

Is Chicago a Hadleyville? There are warning signs.

The greatest warning that Secure 1776 can associate with a community is that it is becoming a “Hadleyville.” What is a “Hadleyville?” Thomas Lemmer was the first to speak about Hadleyvilles in his 2015 article “It’s High Noon for American Policing.” Is Chicago a Hadleyville? To begin to answer this question, let’s consider three recent articles on policing and crime in Chicago.