#us features

Escaping the Grip of Chicago’s Gangs

Now in a wheelchair, Paris Brown speaks of fear, loss, and the lure of gang life on Chicago’s streets

CHICAGO—Paris Brown was 18 when he was paralyzed by a bullet in the back. He was driving around Chicago’s violent Austin neighborhood with friends who were in a gang when they entered rival territory.

Brown had always kept himself at arAutsm’s length from the gang, never fully joining, though…

Trump’s Move to Abate Chicago Violence Met With Praise, Skepticism

CHICAGO—Many Chicago residents who have lost loved ones to violence say President Donald Trump’s recent decision to send federal law enforcement help is good—as long as it doesn’t mean a surge of officers on the streets. And as long as it’s accompanied by community support to address the root problems of violence.

Trump announced July 22 he would send federal agents to help with investigations in…

Child Predator Online Activity Surges Amid Pandemic

The closure of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of children to spend months at home, prompting online child predators to ramp up their sexual enticement of minors and the posting of child sexual abuse material, according to the latest data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The number of reports of online child sexual abuse materials…