A residential section of Richmond, a city of 103,000 on the eastern Bay shoreline north of Oakland and Berkeley, seems to be a city where criminals run wild. The latest criminal activity happened in all places in a Church.

Sunday services were interrupted by a gunman with two companions in hooded sweatshirts walked into the church. They scanned the pews and fired about five shots hitting a 14-year-old boy and a 19-year old man. The congregation of about 100 people was stunned.

The 14-year-old was hit in the shoulder and the 19-year old was struck in the leg. Officials say that they will recover from their injuries. Police believe that the criminals were targeting someone in the church but it was unclear if the two who were shot were the ones they were targeting.

This city has already seen seven homicides in 2010. Last October the city gained national attention for the alleged gang rape by as many as 10 people of a 16-year-old girl outside an October homecoming dance at Richmond High School. During the rape, as many as 20 bystanders were allegedly just watching and didn’t help the girl.

It’s time that this city takes back their city. Find the criminals, prosecute them, put them away for along time in jail and ensure that their streets are once again safe.