> these problems are systemic to citizens of this city being put down by government malfeasance, redlining, and lack of opportunity resulting from those prior two issues.

Corruption. One word sums it up. But, that won't change until the people do something to make it change. Voting in a favorite of one or the other party over and over again is never going to work. It hasn't in the past and it's naive to think it will in the future. We need to prop up those who genuinely care and have shown that they work for the people. This of course require the citizens of the city to put in the effort. In the meantime, while more law enforcement is not a perfect fix, it is an effective stop-gap in that it allows the local population to ease some stress, earn more money and turn there attention to doing something about ineffectual local government. After that, then you can roll back law enforcement as needed.

Waiting is exactly what got us into the mess we're currently in. All of our politicians keep saying "just wait, things will get better" and then they end up hitting term limits or whatever with little to know noticeable results and everyone forgets what's been happening and focus on the new people.

Vote for who exactly? Corrupt politician A or corrupt politician B? At the end of the day, voting does very little when the residents aren't interested in holding politicians to account. Doesn't matter who you vote for if after the election you just shrug off all the bs and say "well we'll get it right next election". Protest. March. Get on TV and make your displeasure known.