That is the past; fast-forward to the present. That same neighborhood now has become almost like a war zone. Almost daily or at least weekly shootings, stabbings and now a senseless, sickening murder. There are many minorities living in Dubuque. And I for one am getting sick and tired of hearing the words racism or prejudice. The truth is, the ones causing all the problems in Dubuque are the hoodlums who only care about how much they can terrorize the residents, and they are doing a damn good job of it.

Dubuque was a great town to grow up in, but now it is not safe to walk or even drive most any street in town. If you do, you are putting your life in danger. It's not just the North End, these things are happening all over Dubuque. Dubuque had better wake up soon, before it becomes a "Little Chicago." The powers that be should gather up all the gang members, thugs and anyone who keeps breaking the law, and run them all out of town, like the old West days. Make it clear that they should not return, tell them they are not welcome here.

What is it going to take before something is done with these troublemakers, a gun war on Central Avenue? Bystanders being killed or injured? I hope not. I am not targeting blacks, Hispanics, or any other ethnic groups -- there are many good hard-working people in all of these minority groups -- just the bums who don't know how to work and let the taxpayers pay their way.