Something is rotten in Milford.
And it’s something that was planted decades ago and has lain festering ever since.
Something that lead an adult to rent a facility from a respected veterans organization under the guise of holding a graduation party, only to actually host a for profit “Jump Off” party advertised with flyers in local businesses.
Something that would lead an estimated 250 teenagers and young adults to mob that party, which had security inadequate to handle such a crowd.
Something that would lead some people in that mob to reportedly jump on a Milford man and beat him.
Something that would lead that young man — the son of a recently-deceased decorated veteran — to allegedly drive by a nearby neighborhood, looking for revenge and instead randomly shooting five young people — at least two the children of my MHS schoolmates; at least one the child of a minister who has his roots in the Milford community; all of them in our community’s prayers.
Something that would lead a woman attending a graduation recognition party held in Slaughter Neck on Saturday to make the saddest statement I have ever heard: “I keep the life insurance paid up on my children. You don’t wish death on them. You pray for them, but these young folks aren’t going to stop until somebody gets killed.”
Yes, something is rotten in Milford. And it was planted long ago. But what do we do to move on from here?
First we thank God no one was killed. We pray that the shooting victims recover from the physical injuries they suffer from now, and from the mental wounds they could face going forward. We pray their families and churches support these children and each other.
Next, we should demand that whoever hosted the party under false pretenses should be prosecuted for fraud and negligence. The shooting suspect has been arrested.
Ironically, we shouldn’t have to worry about such a thing happening again because, reportedly, Milford area civic organizations that have a tradition of renting their facilities for private parties will no longer do so.
But what do we do about this rottenness, this restlessness, this violence? What do we try before we give into our frustration, our hopelessness, our fears?
Countless local clergy, congregations, civic leaders, educators, mentors, philanthropists, organizations and businesses are doing their part, but finding the answers to these questions should be an all-encompassing goal for our community.
We all have the responsibility of figuring out how to instill dreams, aspirations, respect and self-worth in our children.
But that process starts at home, so it’s time for parents, no matter what their education or situation is, to step up to the plate.
Judging by events this weekend, it’s a matter of life or death.
Kanika Georges
Assistant Editor
Milford, Del. —
