With at least 211 homicides and many more shootings thus far this year, we are a city that is in deep mourning; we are a city that is deeply troubled. Baltimore City is in the midst of a war, and many of its residents are suffering from PTSD. Some of the symptoms include physical pain, like headaches, fatigue or chest pain; negative changes in beliefs and feelings, where you begin to believe that the world is completely dangerous and no one can be trusted; or developing a sense of hyperarousal, where you are always alert and on the lookout for danger. This describes how I feel almost every day in this city, and it makes sense as our homicide numbers are higher than in New York City, which has a population almost 14 times the size of ours, and our homicide rate is more than double Chicago's. Homicide has become our way of life. It is no longer shocking nor surprising. It is to be expected in this never ending cycle of violence, failed solutions, fear and distrust.