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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2018)
8 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018 W HEEL OF F ORTUNE A life-changing Wheel of Fortune jackpot paid out at Three Rivers Casino bright and early the morning of April 16. The Wheel of Fortune slots game from IGT is known as one of the most popular slot games worldwide, and it certainly lived up to its winning reputation at Oregon’s Three Rivers Casino Resort. Wheel of Fortune Jackpot winner Iliana and her husband were visiting the scenic Oregon coast for the first time when they spotted the billboard along the 101 in Florence showcasing Special Series from 6A On the other hand, states like California, which have very strict gun laws, have relatively little violence in comparison, with rates of 5.3 and 3.6. But, states like New Hampshire and Wyoming, which are considered “gun friendly” states, both have homicide rates of 0.0 Gun rights advocates usually point to Chicago as the poster child of “do-nothing” gun laws, but Illinois’ gun control meas- ures have been considerably weakened over the years. In 2010, the Supreme Court struck down Chicago’s 28-year-old ban on handgun ownership. City residents are no longer required to register their firearms with the city and obtain a permit. But gun deaths are rising, with a rate of 25.1. By compar- ison, New York City, which has some of the strictest gun laws of any U.S. city, has a homicide rate of just 2.3. But have gun laws made any real effect on any of these fig- ures? It’s difficult to tell. Along with stricter gun laws, New York has implemented aggressive anti-gang initiatives, the implementation of “preci- sion” policing, and discontinu- ing stop and frisk policies all have contributed to a decrease in crime, according to a January 2017 report in the Christian Science Monitor. While gun restrictions may have benefited the city, it is impossible to say that they are a direct cause of low crime rates. Chicago’s increase in homi- cides (67 percent in 2016) is still considered a mystery. While many neighborhoods in the city saw a decrease in homi- cides, five neighborhoods saw dramatic increases, according to a January 2017 report by the Chicago Tribune. While some attempted to blame the violence on gangs, rates of people arrested for homicide with gang affiliation have actually dropping. Poverty and racial segregation didn’t deepen, and illegal guns didn’t become suddenly avail- able. Some laid blame on the loss of trust with the Chicago Police Department following a Department of Justice investi- gation after the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald — but researchers are still not con- vinced that’s the ultimate cause. In fact, after decades of declining violence in the U.S., violent crime rose for the sec- ond consecutive year in 2016 by 4.1 percent, according to a September 2017 report by the New York Times. “Police officials and crimi- nologists continue to express puzzlement about the upsurge,” the Times reported. “There is disagreement not only about the reasons for the increases, but also about how law enforcement should respond and whether the figures repre- sent a blip or the start of a long- term trend.” Multiple theories have been offered regarding the increase, from poverty and social isola- tion, warring gangs involved in the drug trade, a decline in edu- cational funding, a lack of social services and an erosion of trust in police departments. “What’s going on?” the Times quoted Pew Charitable Trusts Adam Gelb, who has been studying the rise of crime. “No one really knows. And if someone says they do know, you ought to be deeply suspi- SLOT HITS BIG AT the new Bonfire restaurant located inside the Three Rivers Casino Resort. They decided to stop for a delicious meal — and what a lucky dinner deci- sion that turned out to be. They stayed to try their luck at a few of the huge array of slot machines at Three Rivers, when Iliana decided to try the Wheel of Fortune. She played for awhile, then decided to try a different machine, and then came back to the Wheel of Fortune. Shortly after she began playing, the machine froze up with a winning message of cious. It’s too early to tell any- thing.” While crime statistics have been increasing over the past few years, suicide rates have been drastically accelerating for almost a decade. In 2014, 13 people per 100,000 commit- ted suicide, compared to 10.5 in 1999, according to an April 2016 report by NPR. The biggest increase was in girls age 10 to 14, tripling over a 15-year period. The reasons for this statistic are also unknown. One possi- bility is economic stagnation, which left more people out of jobs, making it more difficult to access health care and treat- ment. Another possibility is the rise of social media. In November 2017, the Associated Press reported on a study showing a possible but yet unproven link between the two, with suicide rates jumping as Facebook became more prevalent. Teens’ use of elec- tronic devices daily for at least five hours doubled from eight percent in 2009 to 19 percent in 2014. These teens were 70 per- cent more likely to have suici- dal thoughts or actions than those who reported one hour of daily use. In 2009, 58 percent of 12th- grade girls used social media every day or nearly every day. By 2015, the number had jumped to 87 percent every day. They were also 14 percent more likely to be depressed than those who used social media less frequently. Social media, and media as a whole, may also be influencing mass shootings. It appears that mass shoot- ings are contagious and occur in clusters, as reported by Pacific Standard magazine in October 2016. “A 2015 analysis of 232 U.S. mass murders between 2006 and 2013 and data on school two exciting words: “VERIFIABLE JACKPOT.” Iliana was awarded the Wheel of Fortune progressive jackpot of $107,529.57. A representative from IGT was on site to verify the jackpot and, along with Three Rivers Casino representa- tives, presented Iliana with her big winnings. Rich Colton, director of marketing for Three Rivers Casino Resort, con- gratulated Iliana and said, “On behalf of the entire team shootings from 1998 to 2013 revealed an increase in the like- lihood of massacres for a peri- od of two weeks after similar instances of mass violence,” the report read. Roughly 20 to 30 percent of all such violence took place within 13 days of each other. A mass shooting takes places, the media covers it, and it inspires others to follow suit. This phenomenon is nothing new, having been noted years earlier with suicides: If a high- profile actor commits suicide, often other people follow suit. The body count of a mass shooting is also important. There is no evidence of conta- gion in shootings that involve three or fewer people killed, but once the death toll reaches four people, copycats ensue. If the copycat is able to either match or exceed the preceding killing, the chance for additional mass shootings also increases. Social media can make this phenomenon worse. In the past, news coverage of such inci- dences was relegated solely to television and print media, and the barrage of such incidents could be less prevalent. However, social media can amplify coverage, with poten- tially hundreds of news sources flooding into social media plat- forms describing each incident in detail. And more information about mass shootings is readily avail- able — how shooters planned, the weapons they picked and the places they chose. Not only does this information act as inspiration, but it also works as research. In what is sometimes referred to as the Columbine Effect, school shooters meticu- lously study those who came before them to learn better and more effective ways of carrying out their tasks. Of course, most of this has not been proven out- right. The sample size of mass l l A M g n om i l l s Ca Kitchen Klutter is asking for pictures of Mom for our Mothers Day event Saturday May 12 from 11-4. Pictures will be displayed and returned. Bring in a picture now through May 5th and receive a $5 coupon for your next purchase of $25 or more. NEW and ESSENTIAL gadgets, gifts, decor and baby gifts. NOW carrying Finex, heirloom grade craftsmanship cast iron cookware made in Portland and Staub, versatile handcrafted FRENCH cast iron cookware. “A Kitchen Store and So Much More” 1250 Bay St. • 541-997-6060 PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT T HREE R IVERS at Three Rivers, we are so excited for our Wheel of Fortune Jackpot winner. We are happy that Iliana and her hus- band made the drive from California to visit us at Three Rivers. We hope they have a great time on the rest of their vacation exploring our beautiful Oregon coast line and we hope to see them again soon.” To learn more about Three Rivers Casino Resort, owned and operated by the Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians, visit: www.threeriverscasi- no.com. shooters is so slight, and the reasons behind them are so var- ied, that pointing the finger specifically at the rise of mass media would be irresponsible. As a culture, we ultimately don’t know what is causing a rise in mass shootings. We also don’t know why suicides are rising — nor the increase in violent crime. It’s possible there is no one cause for all of these issues, but a combination of factors that include poverty, education, mental health, drug addiction, race relations and the ever-evolving relationship with rapidly advancing technolo- gies. And, also, guns. Perhaps it’s easier to blame guns for everything. Or con- versely, to say that guns have nothing to do with the issue. Or even easier still, to not talk about it at all, simply saying the debate has already been made and there is nothing else to say. “W E TRUST EACH OTHER ” “People very strongly believe they should have the weapons,” Florence Police Commander John Pitcher said. “People also very strongly believe that if there weren’t any weapons, there would be less deaths. And there are good arguments on both sides, and the facts are there for both sides. And if there was a way to get in the middle and actually look at the issues and the prob- lems, and how we could best protect our kids in their schools, it would be great. I just don’t know if those two sides can get together. Each side is very passionate, but does that leave for compromise? I don’t know. I wish I had the answer, but I don’t. But if people talked with each other, that would save lives.” Pitcher sees the need for a compromise as a life or death issue. If people can’t talk to each other, children die. He knows this because talking stopped a possible school shooting in Florence years back. “When I was a sergeant here, a freshman told the principal about a kid who was making some comments that really had him concerned,” he said. “The principal came to me with the young boy. We talked. There was enough to be concerned about. We went out, talked to the young man’s family. There were definitely concerns. He had a gun hidden that he had gotten from his dad, and the dad didn’t realize he had gotten it out of his safe. “But we got that young man some help. From everything I know, that young man is a very good person. A very good man. A contributing member of soci- ety. “That’s what it takes. We talk with each other. And we trust each other. That young high schooler, who was brave enough to call his principal and have an adult he felt comfort- able talking to, very possibly could have saved lives here in Florence.” Pitcher didn’t go into specif- ic details about the incident — what the young man was plan- ning, why he decided to do it. But for Pitcher, those details didn’t seem to matter. Instead, it was the belief that people trusted each other, and the hope that things would ultimately turn out for the good. “That’s the way you prevent school shootings,” Pitcher said. Editor’s note: Throughout this series, the Siuslaw News has received countless corre- spondence on the issue of firearms in America, covering numerous facets of the discus- sion. While there are multiple topics that could not be cov- ered in this series, the Siuslaw News hopes the articles have at least inspired real conversa- tion and a foundation of fact over speculation. We are invit- ing the community to continue the discussion in May with a town hall conversation on the issue. We hope you’ll join the discussion, which will include Florence Police Commander John Pitcher and other mem- bers of the community, gun reformer and gun rights advo- cates alike, on Tuesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. at City Lights Cinemas.
