Many people have held the position that what children watch on TV or what they listen to in the lyrics of music has a direct impact on their behavior. After a spate of shootings, the police in Colorado Springs are saying that gangsta rap is contributing to the violence, luring criminal activity to nightclubs.

“After a spate of shootings, and with a rising murder rate, the police here (Colorado Springs) are saying gangsta rap is contributing to the violence, luring gang members and criminal activity to nightclubs. The police publicly condemned the music in a news release after a killing in July and are warning nightclub owners that their places might not be safe if they play gangsta rap.”

““We don’t want to broad-brush hip-hop music altogether,” said Lt. Skip Arms, a police spokesman, “but we’re looking at a subcomponent that typically glorifies, promotes criminal behavior and demeans women.””

“The actions of the police have angered the hip-hop community here, mostly blacks and Latinos, many of whom live in this city because of ties to the Army and Air Force bases here.”
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