Families should unite to make neighborhood safe

I have two small grandchildren who live in the Wellington Heights neighborhood, not too far from Johnson School. Recently, there have been gunshots several streets away. There have been murders in the area. Does anyone care that this area is becoming increasingly unsafe for anyone to be out and about?

Rarely do my granddaughters get to play outside in their backyard. It's way too dangerous. Children need fresh air and vitamin D that the sun provides. I applaud the Cedar Rapids police for trying to keep things under control there, but folks let's be honest. They can't be there 24/7. I am scared to death that some day I will get a call telling me one of my grandchildren has been shot accidentally in a drive-by shooting. Would you want this to happen to your family member? I don't think so.

Everyone, but everyone, needs to step up to the plate and stop this kind of behavior in the area by assisting the police. If you are not a member of a neighborhood watch, join or get one started. Be vigilant and alert to what is going on in your area. Report illegal activities to the police. Even if you think they won't do anything, you never know, it may help get a criminal off the street. It may give them an area to begin to look.

It's time to make this a family neighborhood again.

Kathleen Hall

Cedar Rapids