By Thomas Sellers
Staff Reporter
Not even seven months into the year and Memphis can call 2002 the Year of Lost Innocence. It seems a week can’t go by without the tragic news of a child dying an unnecessary death.
Earlier this year, children’s lives were cut short because of a day care van spinning out of control on a treacherous curve. The driver had a record of drug possession and was found with marijuana on his person after the accident.
A few months later, with the last day of school fast approaching, the families of three middle school boys had their lives changed forever as their children walked home from school.
Two of those boys experienced their last precious moments on this earth during that walk home while the other is left to live with the terrible memory of a green Taurus going out of control.
The 25-year-old driver was charged with vehicular homicide involving alcohol for driving with a .12 blood alcohol level.
Last month, an Orange Mound neighborhood tried to come together in the form of a block party to bring peace to the community.
One minute a little boy is basking in the glow of ecstasy. The next moment he’s lying in a pool of his own blood after attempting to outrun an array of bullets from a drive-by shooter. Once again, another life is cut short in Memphis.
Remarkably, three other children’s lives were taken in crossfire this year alone, with the latest being 3-year-old Jessica Borner. Her life ended last week in her grandmother’s home before it could really even get started, a victim of a drug deal gone bad.
Is it not safe anymore for children to go to the park and play in this city? Children, it seems, can’t even go outside their own home to enjoy a sunny day or sit safely in their own home while watching television, as in Jessica’s case.
Family and friends are left with so many questions: “What could I have done to stop this? Why my child? What kind of life would my child have had?”
Finally, the city is ready to step in to make the youth of Memphis safer. With the announcement of the Memphis Youth Violence Abatement Plan, Mayor Willie Herenton and police director Walter Crews are moving the city in the right direction to end the violence against children.
The mayor is asking for the help of educators, clergy, a newly formed police drug unit and parents to combat the problems.
The city’s plan has a good foundation, but it takes the adults to execute it.
The educators need to plant a seed of knowledge in a child. Therefore, that child could have the desire to make something out of his or her life.
The churches could install morals in the youth and help bring the community together more often.
The police drug unit can enforce the laws to reduce the chances of a family being ambushed in its home.
Parents need to get involved in their children’s lives and help their children make the right decisions in life. Good parenting could prevent a kid from growing up and committing a similar crime.
With the awareness of this city growing across the world, Memphis does not want nor need the tag of being an unsafe place to raise a child.
The future of the city is on the line if we don’t protect our children.
