After a decline in crime over the past three decades, violent crime increased by more than 10% in the nation's 30 largest cities in 2015 (the last year for complete statistics).  One city -- Chicago -- accounted for 44% of the higher number of violent crimes.  Chicago had 762 murders -- more than twice as many as any other city.  Meanwhile, there were over five million individuals who were the victims of crime.

Whether crime rates have been rising or falling doesn't matter to the people who were victimized or their families. Every one of those five million people or their families have to deal with the fallout from the crime committed against them.

Crime victims have many more rights and services available to them today than the victims of 30 years ago.

But is it enough and what do they want and need?

Pennsylvania Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm appears on Wednesday's Smart Talk to tell their stories.

Also on Wednesday's program, Mahatma Gandhi is revered around the world for his non-violent philosophy of passive resistance to bring change.  Gandhi's grandson Arun Gandhi is a peace activist, author, journalist and agent of change himself. 

Arun Gandhi will lead a keynote conversation May 4 at the "Around the Table" event hosted by Advoz, an organization based in Lancaster, dedicated to resolving conflict and building community through face-to-face dialogue.

Dr. Gandhi latest book was published this week.  Its titled The Gift of Anger and Other Lessons from My Grandfather Mahatma Gandhi.

Dr. Gandhi discusses peace in a violent and divided world and what the next generation can do on Wednesday's Smart Talk.

Smart Talk 4/26/17 B: Crime Victims' Rights/Peace Activist Arun Gandhi

Written and produced by Will Eastman and Nick Garcia for WAMU

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Every day, host Joshua Johnson convenes a conversation about the most important issues of our time. The show takes a deep and unflinching look at America, bringing context and insight to stories unfolding across the country and the world.

With a name inspired by the First Amendment*, 1A explores important issues such as policy, politics, technology, and what connects us across the fissures that divide the country. The program also delves into pop culture, sports and humor. 1A’s goal is to act as a national mirror — taking time to help America look at itself and to ask what it wants to be.

How the 1A theme was made:
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Smart Talk 4/26/17 B: Crime Victims' Rights/Peace Activist Arun Gandhi

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