Motivations of Violence

Violence is reaching a new high in 2008. According to statistics, Philadelphia has seen more than 315 deaths just this year. A recent murder committed by teens on a subway platform has left many worried about their safety at school and while traveling.

“It can happen anywhere!” proclaimed New Jersey native Michael Flores. “I believe that the violence is stemming from a series of problems and frustrations that extend beyond today’s culture and music.” The college junior feels that today’s youth are split into two categories; “You have the side that’s scared to even walk outside and then there are the teens that don’t care because they think nothing can ever happen to them.”

Perhaps the latter was the mentality of four teens involved in last Wednesday’s subway beating in Philadelphia. Police charged one 10th grader with murder and conspiracy in the death of Sean Patrick Conroy. The victim was coming from work at a local Starbucks when four teens attacked him on a center city subway platform. Conroy was sent to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. “It’s a stupid, random act of violence,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

This random act of violence has hit home with several college students. It was a wake-up call that violence is not just a city issue, but an “everywhere issue.” Ursinus sophomore Justin Cunard spoke out on this random act of teen violence. “These teens who commit violence don’t realize the life they could have if they put their efforts in better things.”

Student Danny Mak said, “There are a lot of misguided youth with no mentours or places to go after school. When a youth doesn't feel loved and accepted in their family, they seek love amongst themselves or in gangs. This comes at the cost of doing what is socially unacceptable.”

Even on college campuses, some students don’t feel safe. “Honestly, I don’t feel safe if something would happen here on campus,” said Cunard. “If someone got attacked and managed to get to the security button, I wonder how fast security would react.” College sophomore Peter Serratore agrees there should be heightened security on campuses and transportation areas although it will be a trying task. “I think that they could employ more security around the campus environment to make the students feel more confident enough that nothing will happen. But how would that work for subways and bus stops? That's got me stumped,” said Serratore.

With all the fears and concerns, some feel that there are solutions to minimizing the outbreak of teen violence in our cities, towns, and campuses. Ursinus graduate Duncan Ramsey said, “If they were really serious about preventing violence and violent crimes, why not remove the age limit on how people get tried in court?” He continued, “There's no deterrent for crime really. Jail should not be some camp ground for people who just "happen" to break the law. It should be miserable and make people really think hard about breaking the law.”