Murder in Times Square: Harbinger of days to come?

Easter Sunday/Monday A.M.
Commentary by

Linda Zises
WBAI Radio

Fact:
"During those "bad old days," annual murder rates (in Times Sqaure) were well into the thousands. In 1975, the city reported 1,631 murders. The rate climbed steadily through the next two decades, reaching 2,007 murders in 1993. Last year, by comparison, the number was 471".

The murder rate isn't in the thousands anymore and culture of fear has been quieted by the overwhelming presence of police seemingly everywhere within the theater district.

Mega glamorous neon signs and moving video cameras larger than the human imagination have replaced the porno shops and sleaze bars and even the smoke filled chess club is gone.

Before the 1990's when the Queen of England still owned/controlled the Times Square Real Estate her absentee ownership became a problem
for the mecca of world culture. But today, all is cleaned up. Sort of............

As with all make overs they are only skin deep at best. And with the increase of anger towards the failing economy where else for the young to vent their spleen, to let out the pressure of their future dreams gone sour than in the heart of the financial/cultural world. The Times Square pedestrian mall seems a perfect place to stage a scene, to make a point, to be heard.