Speakout 6/18

This is in regards to the acknowledgments about the funerals. First of all, I would like to say please let the family grieve for at least a week. This wasn't a party for them, you know. Second of all, since you are from out of town, do they have your address? Do you think they have several out of town phone books in their home? I think it would be appropriate if you send food, plants, flowers, etc. for you not only to leave your name and address, but your phone number attached to the card. I know when my mother passed away we didn't have out of town addresses, nor did we have phone numbers.

I live on Marian Avenue (Sikeston's personal half-mile race track), I've been waiting on a street sweeper to come down our street for awhile to clean up all the debris. The sweeper finally came by and cleaned up the middle section, throwing more rocks and debris by the curbs, making it worse. I guess you can't teach common sense.

I thought it was very odd today. I was off on vacation and went to several yard sales. What I found odd was a lady pulled up in a non-profit organization van. She was at yard sales in the middle of the day. I went to four or five yard sales and she was there. I found it very odd that an organization would let them drive their van in the middle of the day to go to yard sales. Should she be doing that, driving a company van and shopping at yard sales for personal items? Must be nice to get to drive one.

I have a complaint against the Sikeston Police Department. If the would enforce the curfew, it would eliminate lots of crime. You will see young people out there on streets at 12 o'clock, one o'clock, they'll walk on your property and damage it. Enforce the curfew. Get these young people off the street. Young kids should be at home. Patrol the neighborhoods. Don't be drinking coffee at the police station, get out there and patrol the neighborhood and contact the parents. They are out there on the streets, yelling and screaming and using foul language. If I can see it, and my neighbors can see it, then the police should be able to see it too.

I don't understand the system. You can call the hotline and report that you think a child is in danger and try to get them out of it before they get hurt or something ugly happens to them. Then the hotline tells you there's nothing they can do unless you have proof of abuse or neglect. Why does something serious or traumatizing have to happen to a child before they will do anything? No wonder so many children get raped or abused these days, because no one will do anything before it happens. They need to change the rules and save some of these children before they get seriously hurt or killed.