Focusing on Improving Lives in East Austin

In the newspaper Austin American Statesman, Scott Henson published (on July 19, 2012) a commentary about the increase in drug arrests in East Austin and how this is affecting our lifestyle in Austin. 
Hoping he could reach out to the authorities (police departments, courts, etc.), Scott informs that the drug war has completely influenced Texas politics and policing.  To demonstrate this, based on the KrimeLabb data, Henson suggests that the Austin Police Department (APD) has completely set controlling drug crimes as their first priority compared to the other crimes, such as "aggravated assault, robbery, and murder" (Henson).  As a result, hundreds are arrested for drug crimes; however, crime is still increasing and needs to be controlled somehow.  Henson addresses that the police departments and courts should therefore switch their focus in fighting crime. 
Henson also shares his opinion with the citizens of Austin.  Based on his neighborhood observations and reference to the authorities, Henson states that "children of incarcerated parents" are more likely to be exposed and turn to criminal lifestyle, such as the drug crimes (Henson).  Basically, every individual should offer guidance and encouragement to these children in order to make an effort to reduce crime and drug arrests. 
Henson's arguments for changing the local politics in Austin are convincingly credible based on the reference to collected data, such as KrimeLabb's.  In addition, Henson supports his argument really well by referring to one of the highest authorities in Texas: Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  However, his argument may be questioned since he also included his observations of some neighborhoods.  In order to support his argument even more, Henson should've included other people's observations of Austin. 
It is understandable that the data collected indicates that the APD has had more drug arrests than any other crime arrests.  However, APD should shift their focus not strongly on drug crime but equally with all the other crimes.   
Children's knowledge and background are influenced by the company they keep around them.  If they continue to live in pain and exposure to drugs, then the children will turn to a harsh path that will affect the entire city of Austin.  Crime will only continue to grow and become less easy to control.  However, Austin's current situation can improve if every individual is open to understand the children's pain and guide them to a better, cleaner lifestyle.